Qatar Airways Conducts Inaugural Flight to Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano

• Plans to connect Kano to more than 140 destinations

Qatar Airways has conducted inaugural flight with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, to Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, brought in by Qatari Captain Mohammed Abdulla and a Nigerian First Officer from Oyo State, Adeola Olamide Ogunmola landed at the Kano airport at exactly 11:10 a.m as officials of the Aerodrome and Fire Rescue Service of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) welcomed it with a ceremonial water shower.

The state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner serving the route offers 22 seats in Business Class and 232 in economy.

Speaking during the ceremony to welcome the inaugural flight of Qatar Airways to Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, the Qatar Airways’ Vice-President, Africa, Hendrik du Preez said the opening of Kano, Nigeria route will connect Kano, via Doha, to more than 140 destinations across its network.

Preez said “Kano has been a trade and travel hub for hundreds of years. Now by linking it to the world’s best airport, Hamid International Airport in Doha, we hope to grow traffic between these two important hubs. We anticipate particular demand to and from India and other markets.

“We also expect there will be strong cargo demand. This new service not only underpins our commitment to Nigeria but is also a clear indicator of recovery and expected growth.”

The Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, officials of the Kano State Government and Qatar Airways, amongst other dignitaries welcomed the inaugural flight, while the royal father prayed for the sustenance of the route by the airline.

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika , represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA , Captain Musa Nuhu, said in his speech that the flight is a watershed in the history of Kano State where aviation started in 1922.

“This would open door for more economic activities in the state and deepen the relationship between Nigeria and Qatar,” the minister  said.

Meanwhile, this additional flight to Kano would increase the frequencies of Qatar flights in Nigeria to 21 with the daily Lagos and Abuja flights.