Qatar Airways Cargo announces Pittsburgh as its latest freighter destination in the United States, effective October 11, 2017, making it the first international airline to commence freighter service to that city. Pittsburgh will be Qatar Airways Cargo’s fifth freighter destination in the Americas launched this year.

Qatar Airways Cargo currently transports over 100 tons of belly-hold cargo each week on the daily wide-body A350 passenger flights to Philadelphia. The introduction of freighters to Pittsburgh will inject an additional 200 tons of weekly capacity, offering businesses in the city and the wider region with direct air freight service to the cargo carrier’s global network.

“Our business strategy is based on consultation and building productive relationships with local government and business leaders,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, “to provide global air freight connectivity that benefits the city, region and state. In doing so, we support the regional economy, create jobs, help grow local businesses and increase export capacity. We look forward to connecting Pennsylvania to the rest of our global network.”

The introduction of twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter services will complement and enhance Qatar Airways Cargo’s existing service to the United States. The new Doha-Luxembourg-Atlanta-Pittsburgh-Luxembourg-Doha route will not only connect Pittsburgh with European markets via the cargo carrier’s European hub in Luxembourg, but also link trade businesses in Asia and Middle East through an easy transit at its state-of-the-art home base in Doha, Qatar.

“We believe that air freight is a key enabler of international trade,” said Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo Ulrich Ogiermann. “Through the announcement of Pittsburgh as our thirteenth freighter destination in the Americas, we have taken our commitment to the business community, freight forwarders and shippers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to a new level.”

Pittsburgh, located in Allegheny County in the western part of Pennsylvania, is known as the Steel City for its many steel-related businesses. The manufacturing sector in Pittsburgh has diversified over the years, with cutting-edge companies in life sciences, robotics, health care, information technology, nuclear engineering and energy, joining leading firms in traditional industries such as steel and chemicals. Pittsburgh is perfectly placed to service not only the city and Allegheny County but the surrounding areas in Ohio and West Virginia. Products expected to be transported into and out of Pittsburgh include heavy electronics, high-value manufactured goods and pharmaceuticals.

“Qatar Airways all-cargo flights mark the first time this region has had a dedicated international air cargo service,” said Pittsburgh International Airport Chief Executive Officer Christina Cassotis. “Qatar Airways Cargo has presented a huge opportunity for our region.”