The cargo service will use an Airbus A330-200F Freighter. This has a payload of 62-68 tonnes and is an opportunity for Hungarian industries to reach out to customers globally through the international network of Qatar Airways Cargo. The aircraft will fly from Budapest to Prague en route back to Doha.
The dedicated freighter flights will complement the existing cargo operations on Qatar Airways commercial daily operations using an A320 aircraft, which this month celebrated five years since the start of the direct scheduled service between Doha and Budapest.
Budapest is also an ideal location for distributing high-value products that are flown in from the Arabian Gulf, South-East Asia and the Pacific region, as about 20 European countries can be reached within a 1000-kilometre trucking distance from Ferenc Liszt International Airport.
“We are delighted to welcome Qatar Cargo to Budapest Airport as a regular customer,” said René Droese (pictured), property director for Budapest Airport, in charge of cargo development. “This new cargo route will present yet another strong business opportunity for our Hungarian customers in the automotive, digital, electronic and pharmaceutical industries. I am sure that this new twice-weekly flight will increase the cargo performance of Budapest Airport substantially.”
Ulrich Ogiermann, Chief Officer Cargo for Qatar Airways, said: “We are delighted to announce our network expansion in Eastern Europe. We have identified a definite gap in the market in this region and we look forward to supporting local businesses with a robust service connecting them to our wider global network.”
Last year Budapest Airport handled 5800 cargo flights and 91,500 tonnes of goods. The 6.4% increase in air cargo volume over 2014 was a highlight in the European market. Budapest Airport serves the Hungarian electronic, fine machinery, automotive, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries with its increasing international connectivity for these export-oriented businesses.