DOHA: Qatar Airways and IAG Cargo have signed a long-term commercial agreement to purchase capacity on the airline-operated air cargo freighters, effective from this May.
Qatar Airways will operate five B777F flights every week between Hong Kong and London, via Doha, on behalf of IAG Cargo, providing continuity of service for IAG Cargo customers.
IAG Cargo, all-cargo arm of British Airways and Iberia, connects 350 destinations worldwide, serving the world’s economic hubs with cargo-friendly wide-bodied planes. “It allows us to continue delivering significant capacity for our customers through the important gateway of Hong Kong. This agreement ensures our customers in Hong Kong will see a smooth transition from the current arrangements to the Qatar Airways flights,” said Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG.
The agreement marks a transition for IAG Cargo and follows the company’s decision to transfer freighter operations from its current provider, Global Supply Systems.
Qatar Airways is already a partner with IAG through the oneworld global alliance which it joined in October 2013. The airline is taking delivery of a further three B777F aircraft during 2014.
“The growth in the cargo market has fuelled Qatar Airways’ massive expansion in this business and this exchange with IAG Cargo allows us both to deliver optimal level of service, convenience and flexibility to our worldwide cargo customers. Hong Kong is a key market on our route map, and so we have continually made investments in the capacity operating on the route,” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways.
The Peninsula
