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Qatar Airways Cargo has begun freighter flights to and from Australia due to strong demand for the nation’s pharmaceuticals and fresh produce during the COVID-19 crisis.
The twice-weekly journeys to Melbourne and Perth, with a tech stop at Singapore, will add 200 tonnes of main deck cargo capacity each week, each way. Previously, the airline operated belly-hold services.
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This move brings the combined weekly capacity in and out of Australia to more than 550 tonnes.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker, said, “During this time, we are seeing soaring demand for supplies nationwide, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the supply chain.
“We are pleased to provide these additional services to bring essential commodities, fresh produce, food products, and medical supplies to Australia as we face this public health crisis.
“We will also be transporting goods to other countries around the world, to meet the demand for Australian products, further supporting the local export industry.”
Last week, the airline announced it would add an extra 48,000 seats on passenger services from Doha to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane from 29 March until mid-April.
Qatar has been capitalising on the crisis by continuing many international services, and has launched a PR campaign around its efforts, called “taking you home”.
From next week, Qatar will be the only airline flying from London to Australia.
Benjamin Leszczynski
says:And Qatar are now cutting flights around Australia. That lasted long
John
says:I thought maybe Australian airlines could benefit from this, but looks like we’ll support foreign airlines instead.
Winston
says:This is what I suggested to Mr.Scurra and the Qantas business group to utilise their idling aircraft to do several weeks ago, but not even liked the suggestion.If Qantas and Virgin took this step it would have been good for staff left to operate the skeleton sectors.
God help Australian airlines survive after the virus leaves because the confidence will shift from our great airlines to others.
James Prasad
says:Virgin Australia is almost broke and seeking AU Govt help and Qantas has parked planes and reduced their international flights due to Corona virus, so why is the Australian Govt permitting Qatar to operate pax and freighters to/from Australia?
Michael Hoare
says:48000 seats for what …isn’t tit now that seats are for returning Australian citizens only …not every bloody Arab in Qatar to visit Australia.
Andrew Ferguson
says:Bearing in mind the outrageous actions of other Middle east Nations such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt to close their airspace to Qatar Airways , this activity and support by Qatar should be widely supported by Australia especially as now that even Qantas has exited the route London Heathrow via Perth nd Darwin leaves only Qaar flying regularly between n the United Kingdom and Perth, Melbourne Sydney and Brisbane. It would be nice if the Australian Government made a public bird of thanks to Qatar Airways for their support to Australia
Peter Briant
says:I dont think Emirates will be happy campers ?
Kim
says:Amazing, Yet Qantas and Virgin parked up there planes
Steve
says:Good on you Qatar for continuing to provide vital cargo services and continuing to assist to bring Australians safely home form overseas.
Brendon Cox
says:And why isn’t Qantus or Virgin doing these flights?
Amna
says:We are waiting please. We appreciate your planning to take us home from Australia
Neil A Morrison
says:Send some seafood over – bet they would love it
John
says:Where is the national carrier? it seems Qantas priority is to its investors not to staff, passengers or Australia’s requirements, is the Qantas act still in effect?
Peter Briant
says:Emirates have announced they are back in the air next week. No doubt seeing QATAR making all the money in their absence ?
MOHAMMAD Abdullah
says:I want t o get home to Brisbane but I am stranded in Muscat. How to get to Doha? Can Qatar Airways make a stopover?
[email protected]
Peter
says:Mohammad,
Call +968 2252 5500
They may be able to assist, good luck.