Joint Cargo Venture between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Aviation Group Elevates Global Connectivity

The two cargo carriers will now offer enhanced connectivity across both airlines’ global networks via their key hubs – Hamad International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport

(IN SHORT) Qatar Airways Group and Malaysia Aviation Group have solidified their longstanding collaboration as oneworld partners with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo, the cargo subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group. This agreement, building upon their expanded codeshare partnership initiated in 2022, aims to enrich cargo services and streamline operations. By pooling their network strengths and fleet capacities, both carriers intend to enhance their cargo offerings, with MASkargo customers gaining access to Qatar Airways Cargo’s extensive global network and vice versa. Leveraging strategic hubs at Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), the airlines plan to optimize their combined network reach. Qatar Airways Cargo’s ambitious growth plans, including the acquisition of Boeing 777-8 freighters, complement Malaysian Airlines’ strategy with its new A330neo passenger aircraft, facilitating increased cargo capacity. Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, and Captain Izham Ismail, Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, expressed confidence in the partnership’s ability to elevate service standards and drive mutual growth, reinforcing their commitment to the APAC market and global connectivity. This collaboration underscores the deepening ties between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Aviation Group, highlighting their shared vision for enhanced customer experiences and operational excellence.

(PRESS RELEASE) Doha, Qatar, 2024-Jun-12 — /Travel PR News/ — In a significant move to strengthen their global cargo capabilities, Qatar Airways Group and Malaysia Aviation Group have solidified their longstanding partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo, the cargo arm of Malaysia Aviation Group. This collaboration aims to enhance the cargo product offerings and operational efficiencies, building upon the expanded codeshare agreement inked between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines in 2022.

Under this strategic joint agreement, both cargo carriers will capitalize on each other’s network strengths and fleet capacities to broaden their cargo services. MASkargo’s customers will benefit from access to Qatar Airways Cargo’s extensive global network, while Qatar Airways Cargo’s clientele will gain access to the burgeoning APAC market, including new destinations and increased capacity in existing stations.

The partnership will leverage the strategic locations of both hubs, Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), as key transit points to cater to the combined network. Additionally, the collaboration is bolstered by Qatar Airways Cargo’s planned expansion of its handling capabilities at its new Cargo Terminal in Doha.

Aligned with their growth strategies, Qatar Airways Cargo, as the launch customer of the Boeing 777-8 freighter, has committed to purchasing 34 aircraft with options for 16 more, while Malaysian Airlines has procured 20 new A330neo aircraft for passenger flights operations, utilizing the belly-hold capacity for cargo purposes.

Commenting on the partnership, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration in strengthening ties with Malaysia and tapping into the crucial APAC market. Group Managing Director of Malaysia Aviation Group, Captain Izham Ismail, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the collaboration’s potential to enhance product offerings, operational capabilities, and global market presence.

The collaboration between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines dates back to 2004 when they launched their codeshare cooperation, which has since grown to encompass 62 codeshare destinations across various continents. The strategic MoU signed in 2022 further solidified their partnership, offering passengers increased flight choices, expanded destinations, and enhanced flexibility.

About MASkargo

MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) is the air cargo arm and subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), a global aviation organisation comprising three focused business portfolios from Airlines, Loyalty and Travel Solutions (LTS) and Aviation Services. MASkargo operates three A330-200F freighters from its home base in Kuala Lumpur International Airport. MASkargo offers a range of services in the air logistics trade, including belly space capacity, which services almost 100 destinations worldwide as well as warehouse facilities in KLIA, Penang International Airport, Kuching International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

About Qatar Airways Cargo

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading international air cargo carrier is based in Doha, State of Qatar. It serves a global network of more than 70 freighter destinations and 170 passenger destinations utilising freighters and belly-hold passenger aircraft. The airline’s freighter fleet includes 28 Boeing 777 freighters and 230 belly-hold planes. It also has an extensive road feeder service (RFS) network. The cargo airline is the launch customer for the innovative Boeing 777-8F featuring advanced technology, and a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and emissions, with the first delivery arriving in 2027.

As a market leader, the cargo carrier provides high operating standards for the transportation of cargo, with considerable investments in digitalisation, products, facilities and services. Qatar Airways Cargo remains committed to sustainability and giving back to communities it serves through its sustainability programme WeQare, built on the key pillars of sustainability: environment, society, economy and culture.

With considerable investments in its products, services, quality handling, infrastructure, facilities, people and procedures at each of its destinations, the cargo carrier provides high operating standards for the transportation of cargo. Qatar Airways Cargo remains committed to sustainability and giving back to communities it serves through its sustainability programme WeQare, built on the key pillars of sustainability: environment, society, economy, and culture.

About Qatar Airways

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ for the tenth time at the 2023 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, also taking home, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge’ and ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining’ at the prestigious awards held during the 2023 Paris Air Show. Qatar Airways is an unprecedented seven-time winner of the ‘World’s Best Airline’ voted by Skytrax (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022). As leaders in industry innovation and digital adoption, Qatar Airways was recently voted the ‘World’s Best Airline Website’ by World Travel Tech Awards.

Qatar Airways was the first Airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA’s Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) programme, based on recognised environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.

Qatar Airways currently flies to nearly 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the ‘World’s Best Airport’, as voted by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024. In 2024, Hamad International Airport also received the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ accolade for 10 consecutive years, as well as ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ for the second year in a row.

Media Contact:

Qatar Airways Group
Corporate Communications Department
qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
+974 4022 2200

Source: Qatar Airways

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