We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Qatar Airways Cargo Returns to Pittsburgh International Airport
Press releases are provided by companies as is and have not been edited or checked for accuracy. Any queries should be directed to the company issuing the release.

Upload your press release

Qatar Airways Cargo Returns to Pittsburgh International Airport

Qatar Airways Cargo Returns to Pittsburgh International Airport
December 8, 2020
No Comments

With demand for goods rising in the midst of the pandemic, Qatar Airways Cargo and its freight forwarding partners on Friday resumed flights to Pittsburgh International Airport, citing PIT’s ability to unload shipments and send them on their way within hours of arrival.

The cargo carrier will be landing at PIT weekly for the next six months, delivering consumer goods and further strengthening the airport’s increased focus on cargo during the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s the latest cargo boost for the airport, which saw Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways commit to three months of international cargo service earlier this year.

“We are glad to return to Pittsburgh and support our partners with their cargo requirements. The business community, freight forwarders and shippers in Pennsylvania also benefit from direct access to our global network via Doha,” said Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways. “The mini freighters and passenger freighters introduced during the pandemic demonstrate our agility and support in ensuring the continuity of global trade.”
Larger airports, including Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta and New York’s JFK, can take two days to pick up cargo, said Viknesh Harichandra, Executive Vice President of Apex Logistics International, a freight forwarder—and partner on the flight—that coordinates delivery of shipments to their final destinations.

“With Pittsburgh, we can get things turned around quickly and, within a few hours of a flight’s arrival, it clears customs and it’s on its way,” he said. “If we can get these trucks to move quickly—pick up the freight and move it—that makes a lot of sense saving time and money in the long term.”

He said Apex has handled more than 900 cargo charters this year alone and is looking to incorporate PIT in their plans.

Qatar served PIT for two years with twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighters until suspending operations in December 2019, as international trade tensions weakened global cargo demand. As the effects of the pandemic spread worldwide, demand for cargo returned, offering a rare bright spot for the aviation industry.

Many airlines began converting passenger planes into cargo planes. Similar to other international cargo carriers using PIT as a gateway during the pandemic, Qatar Airways Cargo will be flying a converted Boeing 777-300ER.

That’s the same type of plane that Cathay Pacific operated twice weekly from Hong Kong to PIT from September through November. Unique Logistics International partnered with Cathay Pacific as the freight forwarder on that flight and is also a partner on this Qatar Airways Cargo flight with Apex Logistics International and Expo Group, Bangladesh.

“Unique is proud to work with Apex Logistics in conjunction with Expo Group, Bangladesh and Qatar Airways Cargo to continue our partnership with Pittsburgh International,” said Marc Schlossberg, executive vice president of Unique Logistics. “Qatar’s coverage from the Indian subcontinent is second to none and their new mini freighters provide a unique option during these difficult times with capacity scarce.”

All-freighter service continues to be a growing part of PIT’s business plan, which was jumpstarted by the arrival of Qatar Airways Cargo three years ago, said PIT Vice President of Government and Corporate Affairs Vince Gastgeb.

“The initial Qatar Airways Cargo flights illustrated to the cargo and business community that service can work and that Pittsburgh is a cargo solution to the worldwide freight ecosystem,” Gastgeb said. “Along with the service goes economic generation and jobs to a lot of regional companies at time when it is greatly needed.”

Air cargo has a direct impact on jobs, from those unloading the planes to local trucking companies taking the products to their destinations, he said.

PIT’s speed and convenient geographical location resonate with players in the cargo industry.

“We are delighted to partner with Qatar Airways Cargo to launch services from Dhaka to Pittsburgh (with the U.S.) being the second biggest export region of Bangladesh,” said Mahbubul Anam, managing director of Expo Group, Bangladesh. “Strategically, PIT is very attractive as the turnaround time is so efficient and that is of prime importance to our customer.

“This partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo is a new beginning, especially during these times of crisis, to provide seamless service across the Atlantic Ocean regions.”

Last fall, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded PIT an $18.69 million BUILD grant to support the construction of a 75,000-square-foot cargo processing facility and an adjacent surface parking lot to expand air cargo operations.

Under PIT’s “Cargo 4 Project,” the new building will allow for larger aircraft, new cargo destinations on all-freighter aircraft or additional parking for integrator carriers like FedEx or UPS that require sorting facilities and high volumes of truck access.

Additionally, over the past several months, the airport has welcomed five FEMA charter flights operated by National Airlines, carrying critical medical supplies from South Korea. And as part of its cargo focus, PIT officials signed an agreement with Ted Stevens Anchorage International this summer to collaborate in better streamlining the global air cargo supply chain.

https://blueskypit.com/2020/12/04/qatar-airways-cargo-returns-to-pit/
Submit your logistics, material handling, or supply chain related company news in DC VELOCITY's Industry Press Room section or New Products section
Material Handling Transportation Supply Chain Services
KEYWORDS Pittsburgh International Airport
  • Related Articles

    PIT Named Cargo Distribution Ctr. for Sri Lanka-Based Freight Forwarder through Qatar Airways Cargo

    Qatar Airways Cargo is giving back to the communities through WeQare, its sustainability project

    Qatar Airways Cargo donates freight shipments to ease pandemic challenges

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Cold chain giant Lineage Logistics buys its own rail operator

  • For container lines and ports, what a difference a year makes

  • Outlook 2021: What’s in store for logistics supply chain?

  • Capacity challenges will continue in 2021

  • Shippers brace for tight capacity trend to continue in 2021

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Jlt procure rugged devices thumb

What it takes to procure the right rugged devices for your warehouse

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Procuring new rugged devices for your warehouse is often a big decision and a significant investment. It needs careful planning and consideration. It involves more than ticking boxes on a spec sheet. It includes testing and getting employee buy in. And it's about finding a partner that can work with you to deploy...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Proven Benefits: A Compendium of Slotting Optimization Success Snapshots

  • Bridging Information Gaps in Dock and Yard Operations

  • How Intelligent Sensor Solutions Turn Data Into Action

  • Order picking Solutions: Understanding Your Options

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing