Qatar Airways Cargo will launch a scheduled freighter flight between Doha and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from October 11, 2017.

“Qatar Airways is proud to be supporting the US economy by opening yet another major US commercial region to global markets,” said Akbar Al Baker, group chief executive of Qatar Airways. “Our business strategy is based on consultation and building productive relationships with local government and business leaders, to provide global air freight connectivity that benefits the city, region and state. In doing so, we support the regional economy, create jobs, help grow local businesses and increase export capacity. We look forward to connecting Pennsylvania to the rest of our global network.”

The flight will be operated twice a week with a Boeing 777F, which has a capacity of approximately 103 tonnes. It will stop in Luxembourg and Atlanta on the way to Pittsburgh and return to Doha via Luxembourg.

“Qatar Airways Cargo takes great pride in adding another freighter destination to our expanding network in the Americas, which is a significant market for us,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, chief cargo officer of Qatar Airways. “We believe that air freight is a key enabler of international trade. Through the announcement of Pittsburgh as our 13^th freighter destination in the Americas, we have taken our commitment to the business community, freight forwarders and shippers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to a new level.”

The carrier expects to transport products such as heavy electronics, high-value manufactured goods and pharmaceuticals to and from Pittsburgh, which is home to companies in the life sciences, robotics, healthcare, information technology, nuclear engineering, energy, steel and chemical sectors.

“Qatar Airways all-cargo flights mark the first time this region has had a dedicated international air cargo service,” said Christina Cassotis, chief executive officer of Pittsburgh International Airport. “Qatar Airways Cargo has presented a huge opportunity for our region. We’d like to thank our partners at Qatar Airways Cargo for recognizing the economic opportunity in Pittsburgh.”

Qatar Airways Cargo already transports over 100 tonnes of bellyhold cargo every week on Qatar Airways’ daily Airbus A350-900 passenger flight to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city. Pittsburgh will join Halifax, Mexico City and Quito as the carrier’s freighter-only destinations in the Americas.

The schedule for the new flight is as follows.