LONDON – In a recent announcement, Qatar Airways announced their launch of Cargo freighters to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, set to increase the weekly cargo capacity to 900 tonnes from Saudi Arabia. On November 1st, the operations commenced.
Additionally, Qatar Airways increases passenger capacity to meet the high demand for the upcoming world cup.
Major capacity increase
With the latest announcement and beginning of freighter operations to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Qatar Airways’ twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights are set to offer an increased cargo capacity of 100 tonnes per flight, racking up the total freight capacity from Saudi Arabia to 900 tonnes total.
Currently, the cargo carrier serves cities such as Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Qassim, and Riyadh, with a total of 96 passenger flights weekly, offering its customers additional cargo capacity in the belly hold on these flights.
With the now-inaugurated addition of freighters both to and from Riyadh, Qatar Airways will boost the overall cargo capacity, increasing main deck cargo and belly-hold capacity to over 900 tonnes per week, both from Saudi Arabia.
Statements
On the new announcement and capacity increase, Chief Officer of Qatar Airways Cargo, Guillaume Halleux, stated:-
“We have had a very successful 2022 so far, and I am pleased to announce the freighter services to Riyadh. The launch of these services will not only provide a consistent and reliable freighter service but also contribute to the economic and trade growth between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.”
Large Middle Eastern footprint
Qatar Airways Cargo serves the Middle East with a big footprint, serving over 22 passenger and freighter destinations within the region itself.
However, the cargo capacity within the region is set to see an increase as Qatar Airways increases flight frequencies to both Muscat and Kuwait, operating with a leased Airbus A310 aircraft in a twice-weekly operational plan.
New Next-Gen strategy
Recently, Qatar Cargo launched a new Next Generation strategy, with digitalization as a key pillar. Besides that, it has also surpassed itself in its next-generation Digital Experience platform, featuring a more comprehensive, intuitive, and revamped cargo customer portal.
The new portal, called the “Digital lounge”, brings additional value to Qatar Cargo’s customers, offering better engagement and visibility, as well as transparency.
Together with this, Qatar Airways Cargo is deeply focused on enhancing a great number of its services, like reporting, account management, booking, and tracking.
Increased passenger capacity
Besides the increase in cargo capacity, the carrier’s cargo part, – Qatar Airways, is now boosting up the network for the winter season, with some of the increase being a result of high demand for the long-anticipated and upcoming FIFA World Cup.
On the increase, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, stated:-
“Qatar Airways continues to enhance its schedule and network by increasing frequencies to many key destinations across the world.”
“This increase will provide even greater choice to our business and leisure passengers, who can connect seamlessly via the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport, to more than 150 global destinations.”
