One of the world''s fastest growing airlines, operating to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi from Doha, has decided to serve traditional Onam food to its passengers on 7 and 8 September and make them feel home in spite of being in the thick of the skies, flying away from home.

According to a press release issued by the airline in Thiruvananthapuram, a special menu that includes traditional Kerala delicacies such as avial, olan, curries like inchi, manga, naranga with poovan pazham, sambar along with snacks will be served with rice in the traditional way — on a banana leaf. Passengers on flights from Thiruvananthapuram, QR 241, leaving at 9.05 am on Sunday and Monday are in for this great treat.

Says Qatar Airways regional manager (India) Saeed Parkar: "Qatar Airways wishes to identify with the rich culture of Kerala. Offering Onam food is like expressing our great respect for this state and its heritage and is also in tune with the historical ties Qatar has had with India."

Qatar Airways has launched an aggressive growth plan to ensure that it can offer people a greater choice of destination, more flights, and the latest in-flight products and services. As part of this growth plan, Qatar Airways will extend its route network to 50 destinations by the end of 2003. It presently flies to 41 destinations.

Qatar Airways was launched in 1994 and then re-launched as a premium quality airline under the leadership of its CEO, Akbar Al Baker, in 1997. Qatar Airways operates a number of subsidiary companies including Qatar Aviation Services, Qatar Aviation Catering Company, United Media International, Qatar Airways Holidays, Doha International Airport, and Qatar Duty Free.