Qatar Airways reports seafood transport milestone
Qatar Airways has reported a record year for salmon shipments between Oslo and Doha in the Middle East. The airline transported more than 46,000 tonnes of Norwegian seafood in 2021, the largest amount yet.
The news reflects the importance of the Middle East as a growing market for Atlantic salmon from the northern hemisphere.
In February this year Qatar Airways Cargo announced it had carried almost 69,000 kg (69 tonnes) of salmon on a single lower deck Boeing 777 passenger flight.
Rob Veltman, Vice President Cargo, Europe at Qatar Airways said: “Salmon is a significantly delicate cargo commodity because it requires expert, hygienic dealing with in temperature-controlled circumstances and, above all, dependable, quick connections… Qatar Airways Cargo not only offers a global network of over 150 destinations, but also we reacted quickly to help Norwegian seafood exporters when the pandemic led to a dramatic lowering [in demand]. “
He added: “By introducing passenger freighters to the Norwegian seafood market, together with Harstad-Narvik Airport in Evenes and Bodø Airport in Northern Norway, Qatar Airways Cargo considerably elevated its capability for the Norwegian market in 2021 when it was needed essentially the most. “
Qatar Airways Cargo, together with its Norwegian GSA partner, ECS Group subsidiary, NordicGSA, was awarded DB Schenker’s Seafood Airline Award for three consecutive years: 2018, 2019, and 2020.
