Qatar Airways Cargo has handled 1.49mn tonnes in 2019-20, up 2.8 pc on the previous fiscal, according to the national airline’s annual report. This was in part due to the fact that the cargo carrier transported significant amounts of relief cargo between January and March 2020 to support the global demand due to Covid-19.

The airline has also placed an order for five new Boeing 777 freighters, adding to a further five B777 freighters, which joined the fleet in 2019-20. The expansion of the Qatar Airways Cargo network continued with the addition of Singapore as a stop on its highly successful transpacific freighter route connecting Asia to North America.

In November 2019, Qatar Airways Cargo further expanded its freighter network in South America, with the new destinations of Bogotá, Colombia; Campinas, Brazil; Lima, Peru; and Santiago, Chile.

In addition, the carrier added Osaka, Japan as a new freighter destination in January 2020. The airline also launched eight new belly-hold cargo destinations during the financial year 2019-20, as well as increasing belly capacity on several routes. 

By utilising its fleet of 28 freighters to play a critical role in the fight against the pandemic, Qatar Airways Cargo was able to add more capacity to countries where essential food and medical supplies were required, while also continuing its scheduled operations. Furthermore, since the pandemic began, Qatar Airways Cargo has operated more than 500 freight charters utilising freighters and freight-only passenger aircraft to transport more than 40,000 tonnes of essential aid, medical supplies, food and live animals among other cargo.

As the airline continues working closely with governments and NGOs around the world to fight the spread of Covid-19, its cargo division will maintain its critical role in supporting the continuity of global trade as well as delivering essential supplies to affected communities.