Qatar Airways Cargo reveals new strategy

Qatar Airways chief officer cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann made several important announcements at a press conference attended by both Chinese and international industry media on the opening day of Air Cargo China 2016 in Shanghai.
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Ogiermann revealed that the world’s third largest international cargo carrier plans to become a major player in three new markets: Transpacific, Australia and South America in the next nine months. This major enhancement of the carrier’s network is made possible by the constant growth of its fleet, which now includes nine Boeing 777F, eight Airbus 3330F and two Boeing 747F aircraft, as well as the opening of its new European hub in Luxembourg. The cargo carrier projects that its pure cargo fleet will grow to 22 aircraft by 2017 and from 1 July, the carrier will double its flights into and out of Luxembourg providing better connectivity for its customers. He also announced that Qatar Airways Cargo will add Halifax (Canada) and New York (JFK) to its freighter network in July 2016.

Ogiermann officially launched QR Live, a new addition to the cargo carrier’s portfolio of air freight solutions.

Ogiermann said: “We are glad to be participating yet again at this important event. China is a major market for Qatar Airways Cargo where we currently operate freighters to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong as well as wide-body flights to Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

“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. In 2017, we will target areas such as Transpacific, Australia and South America – do not be surprised if you see us becoming a strong player in all these markets in the next nine months. 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."