Qatar Airways will launch a fourth weekly Pharma Express freight flight from Basel on May 8, 2017.

The new flight will also be operated with an Airbus A330-200F, offering approximately 65 tonnes of capacity.

“There is a growing demand worldwide for the safe and reliable transportation of pharmaceuticals,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, chief cargo officer of Qatar Airways. “By increasing capacity from Basel, the hub of the Swiss pharmaceutical industry, we are able to provide increased uplift to our customers as well as a seamless cool chain for pharmaceutical exports out of Basel through our GDP-compliant hub in Doha. Our global customers benefit from additional capacity to import medicines and healthcare products from this major pharmaceutical hub to markets where they are required swiftly, via Qatar Airways scheduled or charter services.”

The carrier introduced its Pharma Express flights in 2015 and now operates nine per week from Ahmedabad, Basel, Brussels, Hyderabad and Mumbai with the A330-200F.

The volume of temperature-controlled shipments rose 39% year-on-year in 2016, according to Qatar Airways.

The schedule for the additional flight is as follows.