Qatar Airways Cargo’s freighter fleet will grow to 21 aircraft by 2017
DOHA, Qatar, 2016-1-8 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways Cargo has welcomed the seventh Airbus A330F and first Boeing 747F nose loader aircraft to its fleet at its home base in Hamad International Airport, Doha. Continuing on its trajectory of rapid growth and expansion, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier now features a fleet of 16 freighters including seven Airbus A330F, eight Boeing 777F and one Boeing 747F.
Qatar Airways Cargo is scheduled to receive further aircraft next year and is expected to expand its fleet to a total of 21 freighters by 2017, demonstrating the airline’s unwavering commitment to developing one of the strongest air cargo fleets in the skies.
“We are delighted to welcome the seventh Airbus A330F and our first Boeing 747F nose loader to our growing freighter fleet,” said Mr. Ulrich Ogiermann, Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo. “The arrival of this new aircraft brings our total fleet up to 16 freighters and is an important addition to the airline at a time when we are experiencing unprecedented growth. Increasing our capacity in tandem with increasing our network reach is an essential part of our strategy for the coming years and we expect to have a total of 21 freighters in our fleet by 2017.”
The new aircraft is currently scheduled to support the airline’s busy network by increasing frequencies to Bahrain, Brussels, Chennai, Hyderabad, London Stansted and Mumbai.
The A330-200F is the world’s most modern mid-size freighter. Powered by Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines, the A330 freighter can carry a maximum gross pay load of up to 68 tonnes, with a range capability of up to 4,000 nautical miles. This range and pay load capability provides flexibility for both regional and intercontinental operations. The A330-200F’s large main-deck cargo door allows the aircraft to accept all commonly-used pallets and containers, enabling the transport of a full range of cargo – from high-value consumer goods to express packages and perishables. The main deck cargo compartments and lower deck cargo compartments on A330-200F are ventilated and have temperature control options of 5°C to 25°C.
The B747 freighter is ideal for the requirements of express cargo and industrial freight operators. Powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, the B747F is capable of flying 4,100 nautical miles with full load and is most appropriate for short- to medium-length international flights. The B747 freighter has seating for up to eight cargo attendants or grooms for horses. The B747F has a main deck nose door and a mechanised cargo handling system. The nose door swings up so that pallets or containers up to 40 ft (12 m) can be loaded straight in on motor-driven rollers.
An automatic temperature control system is installed to maintain pre-selected temperatures in the flight compartment, supernumerary compartment, and main deck cargo compartment. The temperatures of the forward and aft lower deck cargo compartments are controlled separately. The temperature can be set and maintained between 4°C and 29°C.
Qatar Airways Cargo recently announced at a packed press conference in Doha that according to the latest IATA international FTK figures it is now the third largest international cargo airline in the world. This is phenomenal growth for the rapidly expanding company, which has risen to the number three position from 16th place in just five years.
Further announcements made at the press conference included plans to launch two new specialty products: QR Equine and QR Express. Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker also revealed plans for a new multi-deck cargo facility to be opened by 2018 at Hamad International Airport. When complete the new facility will increase the hub’s overall capacity to 4.4 million tonnes per year with the potential for further expansion to 7 million tonnes in the future.
About Qatar Airways Cargo:
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 40 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its state-of-the-art Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally on 175 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet now includes seven Airbus 330, eight Boeing 777 freighters and one Boeing 747 freighter. At the Paris Airshow 2015, Qatar Airways placed a firm order for four B777 freighters in addition to the four B777 freighters ordered at the Farnborough Airshow 2014.
For more information, visit our homepage www.qrcargo.com or Linkedin
For images, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/albums/72157660905394853
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 40222072, Fax: +974 40225350
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com
SOURCE: Qatar Airways
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Qatar Airways Cargo welcomes its 7th Airbus A330F to the fleet