Qatar Airways opens flights to two destinations in Nigeria
Qatar Airways will launch two new routes to Kano and Port Harcourt in Doha this spring, bringing the number of its destinations in Nigeria to four.
From March 2, 2022, the Qatari national airline will offer four flights per week between its base in Doha-Hamad International and Kano-Mallam Aminu airport, operated via Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe in a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that can accommodate 22 passengers in Business class and 232 in Economy. Departures are scheduled Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 1:45 am arriving at 9:50 am after a one hour stopover in Abuja; the return flights will take off at 6.35 p.m. and arrive the next day at 5.15 a.m., still via the capital. Qatar Airways will be without competition on this route, Kano being also served by EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Saudia or Flynas among others.
As of March 3 and still via a one hour stopover in Abuja, the Oneworld alliance company will offer three weekly rotations between Doha and Port Harcourt, the 787-8 taking off Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:50 a.m. to arrive at 9:50 a.m. and leaving at 6:35 p.m. to land the next day at 5:15 a.m. No competition there either for Qatar Airways, Port Harcourt airport being served by Turkish Airlines, Air France and Lufthansa among others.
The airline currently operates two daily flights to Lagos-Murtala Muhammed and four weekly flights to Abuja, which will be expanded to daily service in March with the two extensions. Kano and Port Harcourt will become the seventh and eight new gateways in Africa launched by Qatar Airways since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As travel restrictions relax, Qatar Airways is restoring services to all of its African destinations. When Kano and Port Harcourt flights start operating, the airline will offer 188 weekly flights to 28 destinations in Africa. Its African customers “will also benefit from generous baggage allowances, which allow for up to 46 kg in Economy class spread over two rooms and 64 kg spread over two rooms in Business class.”
Qatar Airways Group Managing Director Akbar Al Baker said he anticipates “good reciprocal demand between Port Harcourt, the UK, the US and destinations across Asia.” For Kano, we see the opportunity to increase traffic to and from markets such as Saudi Arabia and India, as well as strong freight prospects. ” He added in a statement: “The airline has been one of the few to continue to operate to many African destinations throughout the pandemic and, as restrictions are lifted, continues to expand its network across the country. continent. As the home of the region’s largest economy and population, we see tremendous growth potential for travel and trade in Nigeria. It is a key market and an important part of our African growth strategy; Expanding our presence through two new gateways is a testament to our continued engagement in Nigeria. “