Flights are not just about helping people travel. Shipping goods by airlines also carries a lot of significance. And now one of the best airlines in the cargo business is spreading its wings. Qatar Airways Cargo has collaborated with Rwandair and announced a cargo hub in Kigali, South Africa. This would be the first time that Qatar has expanded its cargo business apart from the homeland.
Qatar Airways Cargo Launches First Hub In Kigali, Rwanda
#QRCargo launches operations at the Kigali Africa Hub, in partnership with @FlyRwandAir ✈️ pic.twitter.com/zTrGvucYvp
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 7, 2023
With the help of RwandAir, Qatar Airways Cargo established its inaugural hub outside of the country of Qatar. This Monday, the company—a division of Qatar Airways—started conducting business out of its brand-new hub in Kigali, Rwanda.
The hub was officially opened at Kigali International Airport (KGL). Many regional officials, freight forwarders, and numerous stakeholders, including RwandAir CEO & Qatar Airways Cargo were present for the inauguration ceremony.
Also Read: Qatar Airways Becomes First Gulf Airlines To Introduce Electronic BAGTAG In The Middle East
Airline Has Long-Term Strategies To Implement In Africa
The new Kigali Cargo Hub is part of a long-term strategic plan for the cargo division of RwandAir, which has seen a rise in cargo load by nearly two million kilograms a year, since 2017/18.#FlyTheDreamOfAfrica #RwandAirCargo pic.twitter.com/G1sqAG0tpV
— RwandAir (@FlyRwandAir) May 3, 2023
RwandAir Cargo received consulting assistance from QAS Cargo before the implementation of Kigali Hub was on the cards. The consultancy was in order to strengthen its cargo handling procedures. The Doha-based team examined RwandAir’s cargo operations and made recommendations for ways to enhance performance and functionality.
Since March, Qatar Airways Cargo has established a weekly service from Istanbul via Doha to Kigali as well as a three-times-weekly intra-African service between Kigali and Lagos, all of which are flown by Airbus A310 aircraft. We’ll shortly announce any new places we’ll be flying from Kigali.
The idea of opening the cargo hub in Kigali was a stupendous plan. Why? In order to build the African air freight network and support the continent’s anticipated 3–5% annual economic development over the next ten years, it is perfectly situated in Kigali, at the geographic centre of Africa.
2,800 tonnes are transported to and from 28 African locations by Qatar Airways Cargo currently. They utilize belly-hold and freighter services for this transportation. In a B777 Freighter from Qatar Airways, the cargo crew touched down in Kigali. Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) transports over 2.3 million tonnes of cargo each year. It also serves as the cargo carrier’s primary hub.
Have you ever wondered about the storage capacity of such huge cargo aeroplanes?
Cover Image Courtesy: Qatar Airways