DOHA: A Doha-based Indian businessman has hired a private jet to travel to Doha from India to beat Covid-19. A Bombardier Challenger 605 carrying Dr Hassan Kunhi and his wife Suhrabi landed at Hamad International Airport on Friday, notching a record as the first Indian to charter a private jet to Doha from India.
The 13-seater flight was hired from Qatar Executive, the private jet division of Qatar Airways. Kunhi and his wife took off from Kannur airport – of which he is a director- situated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. Kunhi is the CEO of Doha-based Medtech Corporation and president of Ideal Indian School in Doha.
Thousands of Indian expats are stuck in India after the outbreak of Covid-19 and scheduled flights from India to Doha are yet to start. The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation and Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar have, however, reached a deal to set up an air bubble between India and Qatar from 18 August, paving the way for resumption of air services.
Kunhi left for India on 3 March on a one-week business trip, but was stuck after the suspension of air services due to Covid. “I was in India for six months, which is my longest one-time stay in my home country since I came to Qatar 44 years ago. I have spent two-thirds of my life in Qatar and this is the place where I have gained everything. I am happy to be back,” Kunhi told The Doha Globe.
Kunhi tried to come back but the spread of Covid and imposition of restrictions in India and Qatar meant travel was too risky, while his long absence from Doha increased the urgency of an early return.
Kunhi says he also wanted to show that the new Kannur airport has huge potential for providing private jet services, as several prominent Indian businessmen based in the Gulf hail from areas surrounding the airport.
The video of Kunhi’s journey, which was covered by news channels in Kerala, went viral on social media.