DOHA, Qatar – 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.