Qatar Airways Cargo expands operations to Pittsburgh

DOHA: Qatar Airways Cargo will start flying to Pittsburgh with a plan to haul in 200 tons of cargo a week to Europe and the Middle East from Pennsylvania.

The company says Pittsburgh will be its 5th freighter destination in the Americas and cargo will be routed between Doha, Luxembourg, Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh International Airport agreed to provide a one-year financial incentive to Qatar and waived its landing fees in exchange for the deal which Pennsylvania manufacturers see as easing their freight costs in exporting products to the Middle East and Europe.

Before the deal was struck , Pennsylvania businesses rely on trucking their goods to New York or Chicago before it can be flown to other destinations across the world.

Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority which operates Pittsburgh International, was quoted in the local media as saying, “It’s a game changer for the region.”

She explained that Qatar Cargo flights will enable manufacturers in Pittsburgh and nearby areas direct access to the Middle East and Europe, without incurring additional freight or transportation costs.

Once known as the “Steele City”, Pittsburgh now exports computer and electronic products, fabricated metal products,nonmetallic minerals, petroleum and coal products.

Pittsburgh was America’s 35th largest exporter in 2015 with goods valued at $9.1 billion transported to its major trading partners such as Canada, India and the European Union.