Qatar Cargo adds capacity across Asia, Americas and Europe

Qatar Airways Cargo is expanding its global network through new passenger destinations, resumed services and additional freighter capacity across Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East as the carrier responds to rising cargo demand and shifting trade flows. The airline said the network changes will increase its overall cargo capacity by 12 per cent and strengthen connectivity through its Doha hub at Hamad International Airport.

The expansion is being driven by a combination of passenger flight frequency increases and additional freighter operations, allowing the carrier to add belly-hold and dedicated cargo capacity across major trade corridors. Qatar Airways Cargo said it is also becoming the first airline to operate belly-hold flights from the Middle East to Caracas and Bogotá, with the new destinations launching from July 22, 2026.

Asia is seeing some of the largest increases in cargo capacity within the airline’s network expansion. Hong Kong will increase to 14 weekly passenger flights from 10, supported by 42 weekly freighter flights that provide more than 4,200 tonnes of cargo capacity each way every week. Total weekly cargo capacity on the route will exceed 4,474 tonnes.

Dhaka will increase to 17 weekly passenger flights from 14, taking weekly cargo capacity beyond 315 tonnes each way. Kathmandu will increase to 21 weekly passenger flights from 14, offering more than 270 tonnes of weekly capacity each way. Kuala Lumpur will also rise to 21 weekly passenger flights from 14 beginning June 16, supported by three weekly freighter services that together provide more than 683 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity each way.

Shanghai will increase to 10 weekly passenger flights from seven starting June 1, with eight weekly freighter flights contributing more than 985 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity each way. Tokyo Haneda will return to the network from July 16 with four weekly passenger flights before increasing to daily operations from August 1. The route will initially provide 60 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity each way before increasing to 105 tonnes.

In the Americas, the airline is introducing twice-weekly passenger flights to Caracas via Bogotá. adding 20 tonnes of belly-hold capacity each way. Dallas will increase to 10 weekly passenger flights from seven, while Houston will rise to five weekly passenger flights from three. Houston is also supported by two weekly freighter services that together offer 200 tonnes of cargo capacity each way.

New York will increase to 14 weekly passenger flights from 11, while São Paulo will also rise to 14 weekly services from 11. São Paulo continues to be one of the carrier’s largest cargo markets in the Americas, with four weekly freighter flights adding 400 tonnes of cargo capacity each way, taking the total weekly capacity on the route to more than 479 tonnes.

Europe is also receiving expanded cargo connectivity. Qatar Airways Cargo is relaunching Helsinki from July 15 with four weekly passenger flights before increasing to daily service from August 1. Vienna will see passenger services increase to seven weekly flights from four, alongside a new weekly freighter operation. Warsaw will receive a second weekly freighter service in addition to its existing passenger and freighter operations, increasing total weekly cargo capacity on the route to more than 273 tonnes each way.

The carrier said the Vienna freighter will operate on the Doha-Budapest-Vienna-Doha routing, while the additional Warsaw freighter will operate on the Doha-Budapest-Warsaw-Doha routing. The changes are expected to support cargo demand in Central and Eastern Europe while expanding access into the airline’s global network through Doha.

In Africa, Addis Ababa is being upgraded from Boeing 787 passenger aircraft to Boeing 777 operations, raising weekly cargo capacity to more than 44 tonnes each way. Tunis will increase to 10 weekly passenger flights from seven, offering more than 105 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity each way.

The Middle East network is also expanding through additional passenger and freighter operations. Amman and Beirut will both increase to 14 weekly passenger flights from seven, while Dammam will increase to 21 weekly services from 14. Baghdad has resumed with two weekly wide-body passenger flights, and Basra has returned with four weekly wide-body passenger services.

Qatar Airways Cargo said all of its cargo products will be available across the expanded network and can be booked through its Digital Lounge e-booking platform and local sales teams.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 777 freighters and more than 230 passenger aircraft, offering belly-hold cargo capacity. The carrier said its Doha hub continues to play a central role in linking trade lanes between East and West while supporting growth in global cargo demand.