Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways Cargo has welcomed three new Airbus A330-200F freighter to its fleet of seven aircraft.
The new A330’s have replaced three Airbus A300 freighters that the airline has phased out of the fleet to make way for the new state-of-the-art aircraft.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the arrival of the A330 freighters signalled a new era for the airline’s cargo operations.
“The capacity of Qatar Airways Cargo has been significantly increased with the introduction of the new Airbus A330 freighter into our worldwide cargo route network,” said Al Baker.
“The arrival of the A330-200F comes at a time when Qatar Airways’ Cargo undergoes significant development and growth. The opening of our brand new USD$1 billion cargo facility at Hamad International Airport later this year will see Qatar Airways Cargo handle 1.4 million tonnes of cargo annually, more than tripling the capacity of the existing facility.”
As one of the most advanced freighter aircraft operating in the industry today, Qatar Airways Cargo will deploy the A330-200F on routes including Amsterdam, Amman, Cairo, Colombo and Chennai, complimenting the operations of the fleet’s Boeing 777F aircraft.
Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann said the airline’s cargo expansion plans and innovation initiatives will position the carrier as a leading freighter provider in the Middle East and internationally.
“2013 has already been a highly successful year for Qatar Airways’ Cargo, with the hosting of IATA’s World Cargo Symposium in March, the arrival of our new Airbus A330s and a growing route network,” said Ogiermann.
“As we continue to grow our operations and expand our reach to new and underserved destinations worldwide, we look forward to continuing to provide a world-class freighter service to our customers worldwide, with a further commitment to offering only the very best 5-star service,” he said.
The fleet of Qatar Airways Cargo will expand further next month, with the arrival of the airline’s fifth Boeing 777 freighter.
About the Airbus A330-200F freighter
The Airbus A330 is a mid-size, long-haul all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 64 tonnes of payload over a range of up to 4000 nautical miles.
The large main-deck cargo door allows the aircraft to accept all commonly-used pallets and containers, enabling the transport of a full range of freight, from high-value consumer goods to express packages and perishables.
About Qatar Airways Cargo
Qatar Airways Cargo serves more than 40 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 125 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 122 aircrafts. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes three Airbus A330F and four Boeing 777 Freighters, with a fifth Boeing 777 Freighter to join the fleet in June 2013.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 124 aircraft to 126 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.
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About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is proud to be Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways has been awarded World’s Best Airline, World's Best Business Class; Best Business Class Airline Lounge and Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 3,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways sponsors world-leading sports teams including FC Barcelona and Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia FC reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally