Qatar Airways has launched direct flights between Doha and the southern Indian coastal city of Kozhikode in the state of Kerala.

The move increases Qatar Airways' flights to India to 58 per week, spread across the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and others. Akbar Al Baker, the airline's chief executive, said launch of the new route was based on the success of last year's launches.

Formerly known as Calicut, Kozhikode is Kerala's third largest city with a population of almost 500,000 people and home to serene beaches, historic sites, lush green scenery and world-renowned Ayurvedic health treatments. It is a haven for holidaymakers seeking adventure and relaxation.

The new route is expected to serve expatriate Keralites living and working in the Gulf region, as well as tourists from across Europe and other parts of the world.

Data compiled by economics research firm Indicus Analytics ranked Kozhikode as the second best city in India to reside in.

Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 62 aircraft to 83 destinations across the world.

The launch was part of an ongoing expansion plan, which has already touched Guangzhou, China and will soon extend into Texas, US. This will be a 17-hour flight, one of the longest in the world.