Qatari national carrier, Qatar Airways has launched a new freighter service to Djibouti, becoming the carrier’s seventh dedicated African freighter destination.

The new service, which was launched yesterday (August 1) will operate weekly, served by an Airbus A330F and will satisfy increasing air freight demand from customers in the Middle East, South Asia and Europe into East Africa.

“Djibouti is an important market for Qatar Airways Cargo and for the Middle East, which benefits as a consolidation point for the African market due to its geographical location,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo.

Africa is a key growth market for Qatar Airways Cargo, which currently serves Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, Entebbe, Nairobi and Khartoum with dedicated freighters.

“This new route will further open up the African market to our customers who are increasingly demanding capacity to Africa, keen to maximise upon the numerous possibilities the country holds,” added Ulrich Ogiermann.

Djibouti’s air service facilities are currently undergoing a transformation, with two new airports currently under construction – the Hassan Gouled Aptidon International Airport and Ahmed Dini Ahmed International Airport.

The development of Djibouti as a regional hub for commercial and logistics services is currently the focus of a government campaign in Africa.

Qatar Airways Cargo operates from its hub at Hamad International Airport in Doha where its cargo terminal is one of the largest in the world. The cargo facility has the ability to process 1.4 million tonnes of cargo per year, and can accommodate 11 wide-body freighters with 42 airside loading docks to ensure the efficient transfer of cargo in to and out of Hamad International Airport.

The airline initially commenced passenger flights to Djibouti last year, with a thrice weekly link between Doha and Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport.

Qatar Airways celebrated the launch of its new route with a community initiative that supports the building of an elementary school in Djibouti, after joining hands with Qatar’s RAF Foundation for the initiative.