Qatar Airways Cargo saw freight volumes rise last year, including a boost from pharmaceutical cargo and animal transport.

In 2022, the airline also accelerated its digitalisation efforts with its "Next Generation" vision in all areas of its business, including the launch of the Digital Lounge, Qatar Airways Cargo's new web platform, designed to provide a more streamlined and connected booking experience to customers.

As part of the carrier’s omnichannel strategy, it also offers users direct access to the main three bookings platforms of the industry. 

Qatar Airways Cargo moved 1.7 million tonnes of cargo in 2022, up by over 6% from the 1.6 million tonnes it recorded in 2021.

The carrier noted that its operations reached more than 170 destinations, of which 70 have a dedicated freighter service, ten more than in the pre-Covid period.

"Qatar Airways Cargo can boast an impressive growth last year," Qatar Airways Cargo said.

It added that in 2022, it managed a broad range of demanding shipments, including an overall 84,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical products transported, including 4,000 tonnes of vaccines and over 1200 tonnes of COVID vaccines.

Qatar Airways Cargo also moved 12,600 horses.

"Qatar Airways Cargo has also achieved a considerable number of charter operations with more than 1,400 charter flights last year, which includes charters for e-commerce, exotic animals, music band tours and FIFA-related activities," the cargo carrier added.

Guillaume Halleux, chief officer of cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo, said "The Next Generation" vision "truly represents a milestone" in the carrier's development and in the way it does business.

"We are really proud of all that we accomplished in 2022. Launching The Next Generation has allowed us to bring an entirely new perspective to everyone involved in the air cargo value chain," Halleux said.

Environmental sustainability and decarbonisation are also "central" to Qatar Airways Cargo's corporate strategy.

It said that in 2021, Qatar Airway Cargo was the first cargo carrier to join the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) CO2NNECT platform. In 2022, Qatar Airways Cargo launched an online CO2 emission calculator for customers to determine their shipments’ carbon emissions.

"Qatar Airways Cargo is currently working on the development of a fully integrated carbon offsetting tool on its Digital Lounge portal, which will offer customers an option to offset their shipments as part of the booking process," it said.