The Minister of Economy and Finance H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal flanked by CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Al Baker (left) and IATA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Tony Tyler, at the symposium yesterday. Abdul Basit
BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) unveiled its expansion plans for the airline’s freighter division — Qatar Airways Cargo — with an additional investment of $1bn in the newly built cargo complex at Hamad International Airport (HIA) to begin a new era of its freight business, Akbar Al Baker, CEO of QA said at a press conference here yesterday.
QA, the host of the 7th IATA World Cargo Symposium, to significantly boost its cargo business, is set to introduce six more new Airbus A330s this year to increase its fleet size and gradually phase out the existing A300 freighters. The airline has plans to expand its cargo business in a big way to become top five air cargo operators in the world within the next five years.
Qatar Airways Cargo recently received the delivery of its first Airbus A330 freighter, and expects two A330s in the coming weeks and three more by the end of the year. The airline also expects its fifth Boeing 777 freighter to arrive in summer.
“Qatar Airways will expand its freighter fleet with more aircraft by the end of the year to significantly boost the airline’s cargo operations,” Al Baker said.
Asked to comment about its level of investment in cargo business, he said: “The infrastructure of the cargo terminal belongs to the state. And as far as the investment in freighter aircraft is concerned QA has already invested nearly $2.5bn, and the investment (in cargo) will increase over the years.
He was speaking at the Plenary Session of the three-day World Cargo Symposium that was inaugurated by the Minister of Economy and Finance H E Yousuf Hussein Kamal.
The minister, in his opening address, highlighted the key role that the government was playing in boosting and supporting the local, regional and international aviation industry.
The conference, which ends tomorrow, is held at the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Centre. Al Baker said that this year will be an exciting year for Qatar Airways Cargo with new aircraft and more dedicated cargo destinations being added.
“We started the year with seven freighters and a firm plan in place to significantly boost our existing freighter fleet during 2013,” said he.
“The delivery of our first Airbus A330 freighter just days ago, and a further two A330s due in Doha over the next few weeks heralds the beginning of a new era for Qatar Airways Cargo.”
International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General and Chief Executive Officer Tony Tyler spoke of the need for the industry to work together, using new technology and processes to improve efficiency across the global supply chain.
Qatar Airways’ dedicated cargo network is an extension of the airline’s strategy to develop its global passenger services. The airline currently serves more than 40 dedicated freighter routes with eight cargo aircraft.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying to 125 key destinations across the globe, with many more start-ups to be announced. The Peninsula
