For its first new freighter service of 2015, Qatar Airways Cargo will launch twice weekly A330 freighter services to Basel, Switzerland, on 28 January 2015.

The airline will also commence a “Pharma Express” service this month – the first of its kind in the industry, offering air freight to the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. The Pharma Express service will link two key pharma origins, Brussels and Basel, with the extensive Qatar Airways’ network, via Doha, Qatar.

Basel has a large pharmaceutical industry and is home to the headquarters of many major pharmaceutical companies, while the Swiss chemical industry also operates largely from Basel. Brussels and the region of Flanders in Belgium, house 146 life science companies with biotech activities, of which 50 are related to healthcare, 46 are active in the bio-based economy and 50 are life science providers. The Pharma Express route will be served by the A330 freighter and will operate from Brussels to Basel with a final stop in Doha.

Ulrich Ogiermann, Qatar Airways chief officer cargo, said: “We are delighted to launch the Pharma Express and our first destination for 2015, Basel, Switzerland. The pharmaceutical industry is witnessing rapid growth each year, and with the rising demand there is the need to ensure that pharmaceuticals and healthcare products are transported with the utmost care while avoiding any temperature fluctuations. By investing in sophisticated technology and a team of highly qualified staff, Qatar Airways Cargo can now offer healthcare companies and their logistic partners a service for shipping temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals all over the world, while maintaining the integrity and quality of their products throughout the supply chain.”