Qatar Airways Cargo adds fifth freighter destination to its US network this year

September 14, 2017: Doha-based Qatar Airways Cargo has added Pittsburgh as its latest freighter destination in the United States, effective October 11, 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.

The introduction of twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter services will complement and enhance the airline’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 home base in Doha, Qatar.

Akbar Al Baker, Group chief executive, Qatar Airways, 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.”

Ulrich Ogiermann, chief officer cargo, Qatar Airways, said, “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.”

Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania Governor, said, “Allegheny County continues to build greater capacity for regional economic growth through innovation and expansion at Pittsburgh International Airport.”

Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County executive, 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.”

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.

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.

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.