Qatar Airways Launches Belly-Hold Cargo Flights to Six Destinations in China

Qatar Airways Cargo has resumed scheduled belly-hold cargo operations to China.

Using passenger aircraft, the additional cargo capacity is being added to the carrier’s existing freighter service amid increased demand for the shipment of immediate goods in and out of the region, including the transportation of urgent medical relief aid that is pivotal to the global fight against the COVID19 pandemic.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “We are pleased to resume belly-hold cargo operations to China where the COVID19 pandemic has been significantly contained and industrial production is restoring nationwide. In addition to our dedicated freighter service, the extra belly-hold availability leveraging the flexibility and reliability of our fleet will greatly enhance our cargo handling capacity in China to support market’s soaring demand for imports and exports, including the urgent outbound shipment of essential commodities, fresh produce, food products, and large proportion of medical supplies to other parts of the world that are currently facing the public health crisis.”

The belly-hold cargo flights will be operated on a turnaround basis assuming the routes’ previously assigned flight numbers and frequencies, without any cabin crew members or passengers on-board.

The belly-hold service to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing and Hangzhou, with an additional 600 tonnes of weekly capacity, bringing the combined weekly capacity out of the country to more than 1300 tonnes.

After P.R.C. State Council’s announcement on 24 March to boost the nation’s international airfreight capabilities, stabilise supply chains and enhance cooperation with global airlines, Qatar Airways is the first Middle Eastern carrier to resume belly-hold operations to all of its destinations in China by repurposing the passenger-configurated jets from its modern fleet for cargo transportation.

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