(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Airways Cargo will launch a new freighter service to Los Angeles from April 4.
The twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter service to Los Angeles will become Qatar Airways Cargo's fourth US freighter destination alongside Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta.
The new addition will provide 100 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight, departing Doha on Wednesdays and Saturdays via Luxembourg and Mexico to Los Angeles International Airport. The LAX freighter will add to the current US destinations served by Qatar Airways, which include New York, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, and Miami.
Los Angeles International Airport is a major international cargo airport serving California, the world's 16th largest economy. It ranks fifth in the US in terms of air cargo volumes processed.
In 2014, LAX handled more than 2mn tonnes of air cargo, valued at more than $91.6bn. Qatar Airways uplifted over 49,000 tonnes of airfreight from the US market in 2014 and it will continue to be a key growth market for Qatar Airways Cargo, with the market predicted to add more than 1mn additional tonnes of freight before 2018.
Qatar Airways chief officer Cargo Ulrich Ogiermann said, "We are proud to announce our fourth freighter destination in the US, further strengthening Qatar Airways Cargo's worldwide airfreight network.
"Los Angeles is a significant global cargo hub, which is reflected by the increasing airfreight volumes seen at Los Angeles Airport. With the new destination, we are able to offer our customers capacity and five-star service into, and out of, this key cargo destination in the United States."
Los Angeles World Airports executive director Gina Marie Lindsey said, "The new service will provide Southern California businesses with more choices to ship between the West Coast, the Gulf/Middle East, and beyond. It will also open our markets to Qatari businesses."
In 2014, over 100,000 tonnes of perishable products were exported by air from Los Angeles. With around 40,000 tonnes destined for the Middle East and Europe, Qatar Airways Cargo's dedicated QR Fresh service and state-of€the-art cargo handling and storage facilities will ensure the seamless movement of perishable goods, including fruits, vegetables and fish, which require constant temperature control during transit and on to their final destination.
Qatar Airways Cargo's hub in Doha "operates to the highest industry standards" compliant to IATA chapter 17.
There are designated airside temperature controlled areas designed to keep shipments at the correct temperature prior to departure. A dedicated climate control team manages QR Fresh services to ensure all temperature sensitive goods are transported at their optimal temperature, monitoring shipments from end to end.
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