Qatar Airways Cargo Inaugurates First Cargo Hub Outside of Qatar

Qatar Airways Cargo has launched a Kigali, Rwanda cargo hub in partnership with RwandAir.

This is the carrier’s first cargo hub outside Qatar and will be serviced by a Boeing 777 freighter from Doha twice a week.

Since March, Qatar Airways Cargo has operated an intra-Africa service between Kigali and Lagos three times per week, and a weekly service from Istanbul via Doha to Kigali, all operated by an Airbus A310 aircraft.

Air Cargo News has requested confirmation from Qatar Airways Cargo on whether the Airbus A310 was flying as a passenger or all cargo aircraft.

New destinations from Kigali will be announced soon, said Qatar Airways Cargo.

In the run-up to the Kigali cargo hub launch, QAS Cargo, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, provided consultancy support to RwandAir Cargo to help improve its cargo handling performance.

A team from QAS Cargo visited the cargo handling facilities and presented RwandAir with a detailed action plan for operational improvements and handling performance.

The team is now working together on a future roadmap, including a proposed improvement plan for its warehouse infrastructure, which will form part of a long-term strategic plan for the cargo division of RwandAir.

Guillaume Halleux, chief officer cargo at Qatar Airways, said: “Africa is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, yet for it to develop to its full potential requires investment in logistics infrastructures.

“Qatar and Rwanda have long-enjoyed bilateral trade agreements, with both Qatar Airways and Qatar Investment Authority having previously invested in Kigali International Airport and RwandAir.

“It was, therefore, a logical step that Qatar Airways Cargo supports RwandAir in its cargo ambitions. Our customers will benefit from both a reliable intra-African network through our Kigali hub, as well as enhanced service levels and cost synergies.

“We are proud to partner with RwandAir in establishing Kigali as the Central African hub in preparation for the Next Generation of air cargo on this fast-growing continent.”

Qatar Airways Cargo currently serves 28 cities in Africa with a mixture of freighter and bellyhold services, carrying up to 2,800 tonnes to and from Africa.