Qatar Airways Cargo has begun freighter operations in Kazakhstan with the launch of a freighter flight to Almaty.

According to the carrier, the new flight is operated twice a week with a Boeing 777 freighter, offering more than 100 tonnes of capacity per flight. The aircraft returns to Doha via Hong Kong.

“2018 was a great year for us and we are excited to launch our second freighter destination in 2019, just 10 days after the launch of freighter services to Guadalajara, Mexico,” said Guillaume Halleux, chief cargo officer of Qatar Airways. “The new addition further strengthens our global freighter network while expanding our footprint in Europe, which is a key market for air freight. Customers globally are offered a direct connection for imports into Almaty from our hub in Doha and can count on us for efficient and world-class service for their air freight requirements.”

Almaty is a key financial centre and Kazakhstan’s largest city. Major imports into Almaty include general cargo, fashion and high-tech products.

Qatar Airways Cargo’s freighter network in Europe now consists of 16 destinations. The carrier also transports cargo in the bellies of passenger flights to more than 50 destinations on the continent. The combined weekly cargo capacity to and from Europe is more than 15,000 tonnes each way.

Qatar Airways Cargo saw its volumes grow by 10% in 2018 compared to 2017.