Navigating successfully the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, Qatar Airways Cargo has wrapped up a busy year and played a vital role in supporting the continuity of global trade and smooth flow of essential supplies. The world’s leading air cargo carrier transported 1.57 million tonnes between January to November 2021.
While the global aviation sector struggled with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Qatar Airways Cargo registered a robust rise in freight handled during the year.
The cargo carrier registered a growth of 13.42 percent in chargeable weight between January to November 2021 compared to the same period last year.
Between January to November 2020, the cargo carrier had witnessed a tonnage growth of 3.78 percent in chargeable weight over the same period in 2019.
A significant part of the tonnage continued to be medical equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and critical supplies to combat the pandemic.
So far, over 500,000 tonnes of medical cargo have flown on board Qatar Airways Cargo since the start of the pandemic. Among these, 500 million COVID-19 vaccines were transported throughout its network, out of which more than 72 million doses were flown under the Gavi, WHO and CEPI co-led COVAX programme, Qatar Airways Cargo signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Unicef in February this year, covering five years of vaccine transport support.
Qatar Airways Cargo has transported close to 72 million kg of pharmaceuticals between January 1, 2021 to November 30 this year – with a revenue increase of eight percent compared to the previous year. During the same period, the airline transported close to 280 million kg of perishables, an increase of 16 percent in revenue over the previous year.
All other products also saw positive growth in 2021, as the Qatar Airways passenger network began to resume operations once more to previously suspended destinations.
At the time when global air freight capacity dropped significantly due to the pandemic, Qatar Airways Cargo expanded its fleet during the year.
January 2021 saw the airline’s cargo fleet expand with the addition of three Boeing 777 freighters, which arrived in convoy on the first day of the year. These new aircraft significantly enhance Qatar Airways Cargo’s operational capability, injecting much-needed capacity in the market to support global supply chains at a critical time during the pandemic. With new aircraft, its total freighter fleet count increased to 34 freighters.
Due to its agility, resiliency, determination and innovative thinking the airline continued to be the world’s largest air cargo carrier, accounting for nine percent of the market share in March 2021, according to IATA data.
Its solid network and consistent high-level service earned Qatar Airways Cargo three awards — Cargo Operator of the Year at the ATW Airline Awards, and Cargo Airline of the Year as well as Air Cargo Industry Achievement Award at Air Cargo Week’s World Air Cargo Awards.
