Qatar is well known for its humanitarian stand across the globe. Playing a crucial role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar Airways, the multiple award-winning airline, through its freighter and passenger aircraft, is transporting commodities ranging from food items to healthcare products to Qatar and countries around the world.
H E Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Secretary-General of QNTC, while overseeing the loading of six tonnes of medical aid to Iran in a Qatar Airways cargo plane, donated by the Sate of Qatar, said: “Qatar Airways is always available if my government — the government of the State of Qatar — decides to transport medical supplies and medical equipment to all the people all over the world that are in need. Qatar is known for its humanitarian stand, and the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is always at the forefront of helping the people in need around the world.”
Qatar Airways and Qatar Airways Cargo are supporting global trade and efforts to limit the spread of the virus by transporting a variety of essential goods worldwide in these challenging times. “With belly hold services to more than 160 destinations, Qatar Airways imports roughly 100,000 fresh whole salmon from Norway every day. More than 320,000kg of general cargo, perishables, pharmaceuticals, courier and other products are flown on Qatar Airways flights every day,” tweeted the airline.
Qatar Airways is also working closely with World Health Organisation and authorities worldwide to safeguard the health and safety of its employees and passengers. The airline’s modern fleet is protected with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems, eliminating 99.97 percent of fine airborne particles from circulating air in cabins, greatly restricting the spread of airborne fungi, viruses and bacteria.
Qatar Airways Cargo noted that all the medical supplies and items are transported via its climate control cargo centre at Hamad International Airport. It also said that it has a specialised air freight service — QR Pharma — which delivers life-saving healthcare products globally, safely, securely, and reliably.
On February 21, five Qatar Airways Cargo freighters had departed to China carrying approximately 300 tonnes of medical supplies donated by the airline to support coronavirus relief efforts. The five flights were bound for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou as part of Qatar Airways’ voluntary offer of free air cargo transportation for medical relief aid organised by Chinese Embassies and Consulates worldwide to fight the coronavirus emergency.
