Qatar Airways has started a daily cargo service between Boston’s Logan International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha.
All cargo is being transported on board the Airbus A350, as part of the airline’s daily, non-stop bellyhold service, which launched on 16 March.
Boston becomes the airline’s 14th cargo destination in the Americas, with freighters operating to six destinations: Los Angeles,Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Mexico.
Qatar Airways chief officer for cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann says: “There is a great deal of excitement surrounding our launch of daily passenger service to Boston. But we are equally pleased to report on the continued expansion of our cargo service network.
“Even as we give Boston travellers access to the reigning Airline of the Year, we will also employ this Airbus A350 to facilitate trade and generate new business growth opportunities in Boston and around the world.”
While the daily A350 service is expected to transport 40 tonnes of cargo per week to Boston, the outbound flight to Doha will carry an estimated 90 tonnes per week to Qatar Airways’ network of over 150 destinations around the world.
The majority of exports will be live lobsters, primarily headed to major Asian markets, including Hanoi, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Singapore, Yangon, Hong Kong and Seoul.
In order to preserve the highest quality and extend the shelf life of these and other perishable items, Qatar Airways Cargo employs its QR Fresh airfreight service.
This service maintains optimal temperature for perishable products such as fruits, flowers, vegetables, meat, and fish from their origin airport through to their final destination.
Qatar Airways has eight A350s in service, flying to four different continents, including service along their Doha-Philadelphia route. In addition, it has 80 A350s on order with Airbus, as part of the airline’s commitment to maintaining the industry’s youngest, most advanced fleet.
