Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways has launched its inaugural flights to the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Kochi as part of its regional expansion strategy. Last year it began flights to the southern city of Hyderabad.

 

The debut Ahmedabad flight took off from the Kuwait International Airport and landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday (January 18).

 

Ahmedabad is the second of three new routes currently planned in to India, following the launch of flights to Hyderabad in November 2017. 

 

The first direct flight to Kochi took off on Thursday at 12:45pm from Kuwait and arrived ion the Southern city at 8.10 pm (local time).

 

Flight J9 604 departed January 17 at 00.05am from Kuwait International Airport and landed in Ahmedabad at 6am in the morning. The return flight J9 605 departed Ahmedabad at 06.45 am and arrived in Kuwait at 08.45am local time. Flights will operate initially three days a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, saidf the statement from Jazeera.

 

Speaking at the launch, Jazeera Airways CEO Rohit Ramachandran said: "We are delighted to continue our expansion into India with flights into Ahmedabad, an important economic and industrial hub, bringing more choice to Indian travellers, connecting them to Kuwait and across the Middle East – to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar."

 

"This new service will address the increased travel demands for travel between India and Kuwait providing direct connections for those visiting friends and relatives as well as business travelers," stated Ramachandran.

 

Jazeera Airways has built a reputation in Kuwait and the Gulf as a low-cost champion, offering great value fares combined with unique service offerings such as the innovative Park & Fly facility at Kuwait International airport. 

 

Manoj K. Gangal, Ahmedabad Airport Director, Airport Authority of India said: "We predict this is vital for both the brand and our state, as Jazeera Airways extends its services to accommodate the 8th busiest airport in India."

 

"We welcome Jazeera Airways to our thriving hub and look forward to connecting our travellers to the wider Middle Eastern region – Kuwait, Bahrain, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai," he added.-TradeArabia News Service