Doha-based Qatar Airways Cargo showcased two new acquisitions recently, revealing the carrier\u2019s seventh A330-200F and its very first 747-400F nose-loader at its Hamad International Airport (DOH) hub.
\nThese latest deliveries bring Qatar\u2019s freighter fleet to 16 aircraft, which also includes eight 777Fs. But this is just the beginning. Qatar intends to expand its fleet to a total of 21 freighters by 2017.
\nWith the two new freighters, Qatar intends to increase frequencies to Bahrain, Brussels, Chennai, Hyderabad, London-Stansted and Mumbai. The A330-200F is capable of carrying a maximum gross payload of up to 68 tonnes. The main deck and lower deck cargo compartments are ventilated and can maintain a temperature range of 5\u00b0 to 15\u00b0 C.
\nThe 747-400F nose-loader can accommodate large pallets, odd-sized items or containers of up to 40 feet in length and be loaded straight into the aircraft or on motor-driven rollers. The temperatures of the forward and aft lower-deck compartments are controlled separately and can be set and maintained anywhere between 4\u00b0 and 29\u00b0C.
\nNotably, the 747-400F can also seat up to eight cargo attendants or grooms for when transporting horses, which is a lucrative business for Qatar Airways Cargo. The carrier launched its \u201cQR Equine\u201d service, as well as \u201cQR Express,\u201d in the fall of 2015.
\nCEO Akbar Al Baker also announced plans for a new multi-deck cargo facility to be ready for occupancy by 2018 at DOH. When it\u2019s completed, the hub\u2019s overall airfreight capacity will be 4.4 million tonnes per year with the potential for further expansion to 7 million tonnes.
\nSource: aircargoworld<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"