Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) is looking to become a major player in the Transpacific, Australian, and South American freight markets within the next nine months.
Chief Officer (Cargo) at the Qatari carrier, Ulrich Ogiermann, told a press conference in China this week that the move would be made possible thanks to the expansion of its freighter fleet which will grow to twenty-two aircraft by 2017.
“Last year, we succeeded in becoming the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, but there are still areas we have not yet targeted to their full potential," he said. "Our expansion into these markets has been made possible thanks to our continuing fleet growth – we will receive three new aircraft by March 2017 – and by the launch of our new European hub in Luxembourg."
Qatar Airways currently operates eight A330-200Fs, three B747-400(F)s, and nine B777-Fs on flights throughout Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America. It also offers bellyhold cargo space on board regular passenger flights.
