June 16 - Qatar Airways chief officer cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann, has announced that the Middle Eastern airline plans to become a major player in three new markets - transpacific, Australia and South America - over the next nine months.

Ogiermann noted that this expansion will be made possible by the growth of the airline's fleet, which now includes nine Boeing 777 freighters, eight Airbus 3330 freighters and two B747 freighter aircraft, as well as the opening of the carrier's new European hub in Luxembourg.

Qatar Airways Cargo projects that its pure cargo fleet will grow to 22 aircraft by 2017 and from July 1, the airline will double the number of flights into and out of Luxembourg.

Ogiermann also confirmed that the airline will add Halifax, Canada and New York (JFK) to its freighter network in July 2016.


Qatar Airways Cargo senior vice president of sales and network planning, Peter Penseel (left) and chief officer cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann.

www.qrcargo.com