Qatar Airways Cargo’s first B747 freighter has joined the carrier’s expanding fleet, having completed its first flight from Doha to Hong Kong.

The addition of the B747-400BCF heavy cargo aircraft and its 112.5 tonne capacity, will enable Qatar Airways Cargo to satisfy growing demand for outsized freight transportation from customers investing in significant infrastructure projects in the Middle East and throughout the world. The aircraft joins its modern fleet of B777 and A330 freighters.

Qatar Airways chief officer cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann said: “A dedicated charter aircraft will enable Qatar Airways Cargo to satisfy growing demand from our customers for capacity in the ad-hoc charter market. Qatar Airways Cargo continues to grow: We have achieved our status as the world’s fifth largest cargo carrier by adopting a market-responsive strategy that is strengthened by our global network and expanding fleet. The addition of the B747 freighter will enable further flexibility by supplementing our existing scheduled services as and when required.”

The airline will welcome a Boeing B747-400F with a nose-loading door to its fleet in October 2015, replacing the existing B747BCF to provide even more flexibility to satisfy customers’ oversized cargo transportation demands. Qatar Airways Cargo confirmed an order for an additional four B777Fs at the Paris Air Show in June, increasing its outstanding fleet order to eight B777Fs and two A330Fs.

The carrier’s QR Charter service offers quality, reliable and cost effective global charter solutions to any part of the world, including full, split and combination charter services. The carrier’s dedicated Charter team delivers a high level of customer service and communication with proven experience across an increasing portfolio of charter services satisfying customer requirements, the carrier said.

One of the largest palletised cargo aircraft available in the market, the Boeing B747F 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 4° 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.