Qatar Airways Cargo to commence freighter service to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this October 2017
Cargo carrier expands its footprint in the Americas by launching its thirteenth American freighter destination on 11 October
DOHA, Qatar, 2017-Sep-15 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways Cargo announces Pittsburgh as its latest freighter destination in the United States, effective 11 October 2017, making it the first international airline to commence freighter service to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh will be Qatar Airways Cargo’s fifth freighter destination in the Americas launched this year, strengthening the cargo carrier’s commitment to supporting the American air trade and supply chain industry.
Commenting on this milestone announcement, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways is proud to be supporting the US economy by opening yet another major US commercial region to global markets. Our business strategy is based on consultation and building productive relationships with local government and business leaders, to provide global air freight connectivity that benefits the city, region and state. In doing so, we support the regional economy, create jobs, help grow local businesses and increase export capacity. We look forward to connecting Pennsylvania to the rest of our global network.”
Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo, Mr. Ulrich Ogiermann, said: “Qatar Airways Cargo takes great pride in adding another freighter destination to our expanding network in the Americas, which is a significant market for us. We believe that air freight is a key enabler of international trade. Through the announcement of Pittsburgh as our thirteenth freighter destination in the Americas, we have taken our commitment to the business community, freight forwarders and shippers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to a new level.”
Pennsylvania Governor Mr. Tom Wolf said: “Allegheny County continues to build greater capacity for regional economic growth through innovation and expansion at Pittsburgh International Airport. I am proud to see Qatar Airways Cargo’s business coming to Western Pennsylvania.”
Allegheny County Executive Mr. Rich Fitzgerald said: “We’re thrilled that Qatar Airways Cargo has selected Pittsburgh as its next US market for its cargo flights. It is another reflection of our region’s growing economy. This is a significant announcement and we thank Qatar Airways Cargo for their confidence in us, and look forward to additional opportunities with the airline in the future.”
Pittsburgh International Airport Chief Executive Officer Ms. Christina Cassotis said: “Qatar Airways all-cargo flights mark the first time this region has had a dedicated international air cargo service. Qatar Airways Cargo has presented a huge opportunity for our region. We’d like to thank our partners at Qatar Airways Cargo for recognising the economic opportunity in Pittsburgh.”
Qatar Airways Cargo currently transports over 100 tonnes of belly-hold cargo each week on the daily wide-body A350 passenger flights to Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania. The introduction of freighters to Pittsburgh will inject an additional 200 tonnes of weekly capacity, offering businesses in the city and the wider region with direct air freight service to the cargo carrier’s global network.
The introduction of twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter services will complement and enhance Qatar Airways Cargo’s existing service to the United States. The new Doha-Luxembourg-Atlanta-Pittsburgh-Luxembourg-Doha route will not only connect Pittsburgh with European markets via the cargo carrier’s European hub in Luxembourg, but also link trade businesses in Asia and Middle East through an easy transit at its state-of-the-art home base in Doha, Qatar.
Pittsburgh, located in Allegheny County in the western part of Pennsylvania, is known as the “Steel City” for its many steel-related businesses. The manufacturing sector in Pittsburgh has diversified over the years, with cutting-edge companies in life sciences, robotics, health care, information technology, nuclear engineering and energy, joining leading firms in traditional industries such as steel and chemicals. Pittsburgh is perfectly placed to service not only the city and Allegheny County but the surrounding areas in Ohio and West Virginia. Products expected to be transported into and out of Pittsburgh include heavy electronics, high-value manufactured goods and pharmaceuticals.
The award-winning Qatar Airways Cargo carrier serves seventeen belly and freighter destinations in the Americas, four of which are served exclusively with Boeing 777 freighters: Mexico City, Mexico; Halifax, Canada; Quito, Ecuador and Pittsburgh, USA.
Qatar Airways Cargo has made substantial investment in its operations at its Doha hub and globally to ensure all cargo deliveries are processed efficiently and seamlessly. Special facilities and well-trained personnel ensure expert handling over a wide variety of product categories, which includes express products, livestock, valuables, perishables, oversized cargo plus general cargo that require air freight carriage. Its portfolio of distinctive products currently includes QR Pharma for pharmaceuticals, QR Fresh for perishables, QR Live for live animals, QR Express for time-sensitive cargo and QR Charter offering cost-effective global charter solutions. Value-added services are also available to offer its customers fast confirmation and priority or guaranteed uplift to and from Qatar Airways Cargo’s online destinations.
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Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017/18, including Dublin, Nice, Skopje, Sarajevo and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently named Airline of the Year by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters and 12 Boeing 777 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
SOURCE: QATAR AIRWAYS