- Airbridge between Vietnam and France
- Additional belly-hold cargo capacity and freighters to and from Scandinavia
Qatar Airways Cargo has introduced additional flights to and from Scandinavia, with five Airbus A350 freight-only passenger aircraft each week to Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm.
The Middle East carrier has also introduced an airbridge between Vietnam and France, operating eleven B777 freighters from Hanoi in May and four weekly freight-only B777 passenger aircraft from Ho Chi Minh City until June for Bollore Logistics.
In Scandinavia, the weekly A350 aircraft join the carrier’s existing three times-weekly belly-hold passenger flights in Copenhagen, Denmark, bringing the total weekly cargo capacity to more than 500 tonnes each way.
With approximately 140 cu m on each A350 flight, the schedule helps exporters in Denmark to reach Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Seoul, Johannesburg and other destinations on the airline’s global network.
Temperature sensitive cargo such as insulin and perishables as well as mail and general cargo are the main exports on these flights.
The Vietnam and France airbridge will transport more than 2,000 tonnes of essential medical items, face masks and personal protective equipment to support the French Government and French Ministry of Health in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo, said of the Scandinavia links: “Solidarity and support are paramount during such times and we are proud to support the Scandinavian countries with additional cargo capacity to meet the high demand for exports.”
In Oslo, Norway, the airline has introduced two additional frequencies of B777 and Airbus A330 freighters to its existing six weekly freighter flights and three freight-only passenger flights. Recently, the carrier announced it will operate its B747-8F every Thursday in May, supporting the demand for imports and exports.
The airline also operated one B777 freighter from Stockholm, Sweden last week, with 103 tonnes of freight consisting of automotive cargo, general cargo and pharmaceuticals destined to China, Australia, Japan and other countries within the Qatar Airways network.
Qatar Airways Cargo will add more freighters to and from Sweden on a regular basis.
The airline is also bringing in imports like COVID-19 medical goods, foodstuff, flowers, garments and machinery parts on flights into Denmark and Norway.
Halleux said of the Vietnam-France airbridge: “We are glad to support France in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Our entire team is working hard to ensure critical medical supplies are reaching places where they are needed the most.
“We couldn’t have done this without the help of our commercial customers who have supported us to prioritise aid and relief shipments over their existing commercial arrangements. These are difficult times, but I am confident that we will all emerge stronger after the crisis is over.”
Since March 2020, Qatar Airways has operated a number of B777F charters and scheduled flights, bringing in over 5,000 tonnes of medical supplies and relief goods into France.
