In the space of just a four week period Qatar Airways Cargo is to expand its global freight network by four destinations as well as increasing capacity in some of its existing markets as the growth of its cargo business mirrors the rapid growth of its passenger operation. Over the period between October 30, 2013 and November 26, 2103, Qatar Airways Cargo is adding Beirut (Lebanon); Madrid (Spain); Paris (France); and Tbilisi (Georgia); while increasing frequency to Seoul (South Korea) and increasing capacity on its Oslo (Norway) route.

“The next few months will prove to be yet another exciting period of growth with such diverse destinations being added to Qatar Airways’ cargo network,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, chief officer cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo. “We are excited to offer these significant new routes to our existing cargo customers and also hope this will introduce our world-class product to new customers. The addition of these new freighter destinations will mark yet another milestone in the airline’s growth strategy.”

The first of the new destinations came online on October 30, 2013 when Qatar Airways Cargo launched a twice weekly service to the Spanish capital, Madrid. The new link is flown by an Airbus A330-200F and is expected to include textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufacturers, chemicals, automobiles, machine tools, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

A new link between Doha and Beirut followed the same week, launching on November 1, 2013. The weekly service, operated using a Boeing 777-200LRF, will be mainly transporting food items, jewellery, textiles, furniture and metal products according to the carrier.

The third new destination to be served by Qatar Airways Cargo will be the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, where the airline’s existing passenger operation and bellyhold cargo offering will be supplemented with one weekly A330F service every Tuesday from November 26, 2013. Georgia, rich with spring waters and production of mineral water is also into wine production. The country also exports vehicles, fertilizers, nuts, scrap metal, gold and copper-ores.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways Cargo’s European expansion will receive yet another boost with twice-weekly scheduled A330F services to the French capital, Paris, commencing on November 21, 2013. Second to Germany, France is the second largest importer and exporter of general commodities in Europe.

Elsewhere, Qatar Airways Cargo existing freighter services to Seoul, South Korea were recently boosted by an additional Boeing 777 freighter service, effective October 29, flying three times per week, while freight capacity has been increased on its Doha - Oslo route through the introduction of an A330F.