New India routes to be launched

As it grows its global reach, the services provided for Qatar Airways Cargo customers continue to increase, according to the airline’s cargo vice-president, Vikram Singh. “Our cargo network provides global reach for customers in Africa, Europe, UK, USA, Middle East, Asia and soon Australia,” he told FTW, “with services to many destinations in each of these countries.” Products being moved on its routes are varied, with perishables strong out of Africa and the Indian subcontinent; a lot of electronics and garments carried out of Asia; and Europe and the US moving industrial and automotive-type equipment. Discussing markets that have shown particular growth, or where the airline believes there is significant untapped potential, Singh stresses that Qatar Airways Cargo has a diverse network with numerous trade lanes that are performing exceptionally well. “We are continuing to see growth in Asia, particularly South Asia, as well as US and Europe, where frequencies and destinations have been increased,” he said. “There is special potential to grow our business activity in Africa, and the new services to Australia starting in December will also bring a new dimension to our business.” Singh also felt that expansion was a major part of the cargo section’s future plans. It presently delivers to 87 destinations worldwide using its own Airbus A300- 600 freighters and 69 Qatar Airways’ passenger aircraft. “This,” said Singh, “will increase to 120 destinations and 110 aircraft in the next five years – with Qatar Airways one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, and expansion averaging almost 40% a year for the past 12 years.” Immediate expansion plans will see new route launches to Amritsar (October 11) – in the northern Indian state of Punjab; Goa (October 25) – the popular Indian holiday destination; Melbourne (December 6); Sydney (date yet to be announced), and two new European destinations in the coming months. “In addition,” said Singh, “a number of frequency increases have been announced increasing capacity across the network. Qatar Airways is currently receiving new planes into the fleet at an average rate of one per month and has massive aircraft orders worth over US$40 billion – including 80 Airbus A350s; 24 of the Airbus A320 family of aircraft; 60 Boeing 787s; and 32 Boeing 777s. The airline is one of the launch customers of the twin-deck Airbus A380 ‘super jumbos’ with five on order and scheduled for delivery from 2011. Three brand new Boeing B777 freighters will join the Qatar Airways Cargo fleet from mid 2010. “So,” said Singh, “it is a very positive, exciting future.”