Qatar Airways launches its first freighter aircraft at Annual Cargo Conference

Qatar Airways, one of the world’s fastest growing airline, has received its first dedicated cargo freighter, which will significantly boost the airline’s cargo business. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker announced the addition of the A300-600R on the first day of the company’s two-day cargo conference, held from June 8-9 in Doha. "I’m proud to announce that Qatar Airways has received its first dedicated cargo freighter, which is expected to generate significant business to the airline", said Al Baker. The company is planning to buy two additional dedicated freighters in the coming couple of years. "At a cost of $10 million, the A300-600R passenger aircraft has been converted to a freighter at Elbe Flugzeugweke Gmbh (EADS EFW) in Dresden, Germany. Conversion works were completed in significant time, the freighter was delivered to QR twenty days ahead of schedule. With the ability to offer a full payload of 42 tonnes, the freighter will become an integral part of Qatar Airways cargo strategy. "We are expecting to achieve cargo growth rates in the coming year of around 35 per cent. Along with the new freighter, the new cargo terminal expansion will offer cargo capacity of 180,000 tonnes. The freighter will boost cargo capacity, enhance our relationship with shippers and forwarders and establish Doha as a regional cargo hub. It will also provide more capacity to carry cargo to Europe

(L to R) Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker and Qatar Aviation Services General Manager Abbas A Haji inspect the new A300-600 freighter. and South West Asia and the ability to offer a better premier class service," said Al Baker. Addressing the airline’s annual commercial conference in Doha earlier as well, Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker, said during 2002/2003 the carrier continued to exceed performance targets. He revealed that the airline’s sales revenue produced strong growth with a 10% increase on its annual target. Cargo revenues also performed well, producing 12% growth on forecasts. "Cargo revenue growth is largely a result of improvements in service levels and greater capacity," said Al Baker. "With the addition of the new Qatar Airways freighter in July, we forecast very significant cargo growth in the coming year."

CYPRUS AIRWAYS Dubai-Beirut flights set for take-off

Mediterranean carrier Cyprus Airways is set to fly Dubai-Beirut return five times a week from July 1.This is the biggest expansion of flights in the Middle East by Cyprus’ national carrier since it commenced operations in the Gulf 26 years ago.

Introduction of the new sector has been prompted by staggering increases in passenger numbers - nearly 30 per cent in some cases - recorded on other Cyprus Airways’ routes to Beirut.
The spectacular route expansion to Lebanon was revealed by Cyprus Airways Middle East and Gulf Chief, Stavros Kyprianou. “Beirut sectors are powerful performers for Cyprus Airways from other destinations so it was clear we required traffic rights Dubai-Beirut,” says Kyprianou.
Four of the return flights from Dubai (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) will be direct to Lebanon’s capital then they’ll progress to Larnaca. The fifth return flight (Thursday) will be to Larnaca then Beirut. Airbus A320s will be used on the sector.
The expansion means Cyprus Airways will be able to offer five return flights a week from Dubai to Larnaca instead of the current two. The season for the new Beirut flights runs July 1 to October 25, 2003.
Cyprus Airways has bucked the global civil aviation trend by increasing passenger traffic throughout the Middle East and on most international routes, according to official figures released recently.

Emirates Airlines has formed a partnership with US-based International Freight and Logistics Network Inc (IFLN Inc), furthering its strategy of linking up with multinational forwarders with global capabilities.
The airline will provide capacity, preferential rates, IT training and marketing support and a performance measurement system under the terms of the agreement, which comes into effect this month.
Mogens Debracy, Emirates’ Cargo Global Accounts Sales Manager, said: “A long-term, strategic partnership with IFLN will help us both to provide

customers with what they demand - the service excellence, reliability and transparency of the supply chain. We, in our turn, can consolidate our place in the provision of global logistics services by together delivering consistency and long-term excellence. It’s important to us that the customer perceives these partnerships as a good idea.”
Emirates’ philosophy is to build a firm base of strategic partnerships, each one forming a network that can provide a viable alternative to major multinationals. Emirates thus acquires support in offline countries and brings ocean and air freight together.