20 January 2014
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways Cargo is continuing its expansion programme in India with the launch of the seventh freighter destination in the country. Starting 3rd February, 2015, Qatar Airways Cargo will commence freighter services to Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat.
The twice weekly Airbus A330 freighter service will depart Doha on Tuesdays and Fridays with a stop in Mumbai before heading to Ahmedabad. Departure from Ahmedabad to Doha is scheduled on the same day.
Qatar Airways Cargo will operate the twice weekly freighter service alongside the daily passenger flights that the airline operates to Ahmedabad.
Ahmedabad has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India, and textiles, chemicals, automobiles and pharmaceuticals are some of the city’s major industries. Ahmedabad also has a growing biotechnology industry with the presence of more than 50 biotechnology companies and around 66 support organisations. The city is renowned as the largest supplier of denim and one of the largest exporters of gemstones and jewellery in India.
Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann said: “We are looking forward to commencing operations to Ahmedabad – our seventh freighter destination in India. We already carry cargo on the lower deck of daily passenger flights to this city and being the only international carrier to provide freighter services to Ahmedabad, we will be able to provide even more capacity into and out of this important industrial city and to the state of Gujarat.”
The year 2014 was a highly productive one for Qatar Airways Cargo with the launch of QR Pharma for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products and QR Fresh for perishable products; and the migration to the fully automated, state-of-the-art cargo facility at Hamad International Airport.
Qatar Airways Cargo also launched 11 dedicated freighter destinations in 2014, including Delhi and Hyderabad in India. In 2015, the airline has commenced operations to the Swiss city of Basel and launched the Pharma Express route, linking the pharmaceutical hubs of Brussels and Basel via Doha to the expanding network.
About Qatar Airways Cargo
Qatar Airways Cargo serves more than 40 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to 146 key business and leisure destinations globally on 146 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes five Airbus 330 and seven Boeing 777 freighters. At the Dubai Airshow 2013, Qatar Airways placed a firm order for five new Airbus A330-200 Freighter aircraft. Also included in the order were eight additional A330-200F options, for a total of 13 aircraft. At the recent Farnborough Show, Qatar Airways announced its intent to order four B777 Freighters and options for four more.