Qatar Airways Cargo has become the first carrier to launch a freighter service to Pittsburgh in the US – bringing its Americas all-cargo network to 13.

The fast-growing Qatari airline will start a twice-weekly Boeing 777 Freighter service on the route from 11 October. Pittsburgh is the 5th freighter destination in the Americas it has launched this year.

Qatar Airways Cargo currently transports over 100 tonnes of belly cargo each week on the daily widebody Airbus A350 passenger flights to Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania.

The introduction of freighters to Pittsburgh will inject an additional 200 tonnes of weekly capacity, offering businesses in the city and the wider region with direct airfreight service to the cargo carrier’s global network.

The new Doha-Luxembourg-Atlanta-Pittsburgh-Luxembourg-Doha route will not only connect Pittsburgh with European markets via the cargo carrier’s European hub in Luxembourg, but also link trade businesses in Asia and Middle East through Doha.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker says: “Qatar Airways is proud to be supporting the US economy by opening yet another major US commercial region to global markets.

“Our business strategy is based on consultation and building productive relationships with local government and business leaders, to provide global airfreight connectivity that benefits the city, region and state.

“In doing so, we support the regional economy, create jobs, help grow local businesses and increase export capacity. We look forward to connecting Pennsylvania to the rest of our global network.”

Products expected to be transported into and out of Pittsburgh include heavy electronics, high-value manufactured goods and pharmaceuticals.

Qatar Airways chief officer for cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann says the Americas is a significant market for the carrier. He adds: “We believe that airfreight is a key enabler of international trade.

“Through the announcement of Pittsburgh as our thirteenth freighter destination in the Americas, we have taken our commitment to the business community, freight forwarders and shippers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to a new level.”

Pittsburgh International Airport chief executive officer, Christina Cassotis says it is the first time the region has had a dedicated international air cargo service.