Qatar Airways Cargo’s new Boeing 747 freighter charter aircraft has performed its first flight, heading to Hong Kong from Doha.
The Middle Eastern airline said that the Boeing B747-400BCF aircraft, with a 112.5 tonne capacity, would cater for growing demand for outsized freight transportation for infrastructure projects in the Middle East and throughout the world.
It said it had opted for a 747 because its wide side door allowed for quick and easy loading, irrespective of whether the load is made up of standard containers and pallets, or outsized cargo.
However, this aircraft will be replaced with a nose loading 747-400F in October “to provide even more flexibility to satisfy customers’ oversized cargo transportation demands”.
One of the largest palletised cargo aircraft available in the market, the 747F will provide belly freight capacity and main cargo deck capacity with 39 ULD positions.
The pressurised cargo cabin means that the aircraft is suitable to transport freight of all kinds and can provide a temperature control range from four to 30 degrees celsius.
“Livestock and horses, perishables, heavy machinery, oversized equipment, oil and gas equipment, and humanitarian and relief aid can all be transported worldwide on this aircraft, which is suitable for long haul cargo flights of up to 10 hours,” Qatar said.
Qatar Airways Cargo’s fleet includes eight Boeing 777Fs and six Airbus 330Fs. The airline recently announced a firm order for four 777 Freighters at the Paris Air Show on June 18, this is in addition to an existing order for four 777Fs and two firm 330Fs with options for a further eight.
