DOHA-based Qatar Airways Cargo has started operating a Boeing 777 freighter twice a week into Singapore Changi airport from Chicago. The new route expands the airline's freighter network in Asia Pacific to cover nine destinations.

From Singapore, the freighter leaves for Macau on Tuesdays and Saturdays and then flies onwards to Los Angeles, Mexico City and Guadalajara in the Americas, before returning to Doha via Liege.



Some 100 tonnes of cargo capacity is available on each leg of the flight, reported London's Air Cargo News.



Qatar Airways chief officer cargo Guillaume Halleux was quoted as saying: 'Our customers have warmly welcomed the transpacific service, which is evident from the full loads on the route.



'The addition of Singapore to the transpacific route will enable exporters in Singapore to transport their cargo to North American markets directly and faster without a stopover in Doha.'



'Qatar's new freighter flights will deepen Singapore's air connectivity with the USA, our third-largest cargo market,' said Changi Airport Group managing director Lim Ching Kiat. 'The new flights will also link Changi airport to Macau and Mexico via freighters for the first time.'



At the Paris Air Show in June, Qatar Airways announced an order for five new B777Fs. The new freighters will enable it to launch new freighter routes and raise capacity on key trade lanes.



Qatar Airways Cargo currently serves 60 freighter destinations worldwide, with a fleet of two B747-8Fs, 16 B777Fs and five Airbus A330 freighters.


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