Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo have established a strategic partnership that promises to significantly boost cargo capacity and network connectivity between the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, with operations having commenced on October 1.
The collaboration has already facilitated the transportation of 2,400 tonnes of cargo, including 600 tonnes of perishables and 130 tonnes of pharmaceuticals, demonstrating the partnership’s early success in handling diverse cargo types.
Under the new agreement, Qatar Airways Cargo will operate twice-weekly Boeing 777 flights from Doha to Kuala Lumpur, adding more than 200 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.
MASkargo will complement this service by deploying Airbus A330 freighters to Sydney and Melbourne, providing 75 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity with eight-hour connections through Kuala Lumpur.
Qatar Airways Cargo Chief Officer Mark Drusch said: “By combining our strengths, we are able to offer our customers enhanced connectivity and efficiency, ensuring their products reach global markets in optimal condition.”
The partnership enables MASkargo to access key markets in Europe, GCC, Levant, and Africa, while Qatar Airways Cargo gains increased capacity to Australia, New Zealand, and various Asian destinations. This strategic alignment also supports Malaysian exporters by providing broader access to global markets.
MASkargo Chief Executive Officer Mark Jason Thomas emphasized the partnership’s significance: “This partnership represents a significant advancement in MASkargo’s mission to connect our customers to the world with increased speed and efficiency.”
The agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024, building upon an existing relationship between the airlines’ passenger operations through the oneworld alliance. Their current codeshare agreement covers 62 destinations across multiple regions.
Operating from its Kuala Lumpur International Airport hub, MASkargo maintains a fleet of three Airbus A330-200F freighters.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways Cargo’s fleet comprises 28 Boeing 777 freighters, complemented by belly capacity in 230 passenger aircraft, serving more than 60 freighter destinations globally.
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