QATAR Airways Cargo has collaborated with Rwanda's national airline RwandAir, to launch its first cargo hub outside of Qatar, reports Doha's Gulf Times.
The move aims to establish a strong foundation for the airline's expansion into the African air cargo network and meet the predicted three to five per cent annual economic growth on the continent over the next decade.
The new Kigali Africa Hub, located at Kigali International Airport, was officially launched with the recent landing of a Qatar Airways Cargo boeing 777 freighter.
The freighter will fly twice a week from Doha to Kigali.
In March, Qatar Airways Cargo began an intra-Africa service between Kigali and Lagos (three times per week) and a weekly service from Istanbul via Doha to Kigali, operated by an Airbus A310 cargo aircraft.
Prior to the launch of the Kigali Cargo Hub, QAS Cargo, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, provided consultancy support to RwandAir Cargo to improve its cargo handling performance and efficiency.
A team from QAS Cargo visited the cargo handling facilities and presented RwandAir with an action plan for operational improvements and handling performance.
The teams are working together on a future roadmap, including a proposed improvement plan for warehouse infrastructure as part of a long-term strategic plan for the cargo division of RwandAir.
'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,' said Qatar Airways chief officer cargo Guillaume Halleux.
'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.'
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The move aims to establish a strong foundation for the airline's expansion into the African air cargo network and meet the predicted three to five per cent annual economic growth on the continent over the next decade.
The new Kigali Africa Hub, located at Kigali International Airport, was officially launched with the recent landing of a Qatar Airways Cargo boeing 777 freighter.
The freighter will fly twice a week from Doha to Kigali.
In March, Qatar Airways Cargo began an intra-Africa service between Kigali and Lagos (three times per week) and a weekly service from Istanbul via Doha to Kigali, operated by an Airbus A310 cargo aircraft.
Prior to the launch of the Kigali Cargo Hub, QAS Cargo, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, provided consultancy support to RwandAir Cargo to improve its cargo handling performance and efficiency.
A team from QAS Cargo visited the cargo handling facilities and presented RwandAir with an action plan for operational improvements and handling performance.
The teams are working together on a future roadmap, including a proposed improvement plan for warehouse infrastructure as part of a long-term strategic plan for the cargo division of RwandAir.
'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,' said Qatar Airways chief officer cargo Guillaume Halleux.
'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.'
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