Qatar Airways Cargo has added Colombo in Sri Lanka and Dublin in Ireland to its extensive Pharma Network – bringing the total it services to 73 destinations.
Colombo was added to its Pharma Network on 15 May, while Dublin’s pharma operation begins on 12 June, when Qatar Airways commences its B787 Dreamliner flights to the same city.
The carrier says Ireland has become one of the leading global hubs for the pharma industry, with nine of the top ten largest pharma companies operating in the country.
Sri Lanka, while also an importer of pharma and healthcare products, expects future earnings from pharma exports to surpass tea export revenue, following the launch of a pharma manufacturing project at the country’s Export Processing Zone last year.
Qatar Airways’ chief officer for cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann says: “We are experiencing consistent growth each year in the airfreight of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products globally.
“The expansion of our pharma network to these destinations gives us the opportunity to support expanding pharma businesses in Sri Lanka, the Republic of Ireland and globally. Customers stand to benefit from a seamless cool chain as well as uncompromised service standards.
“Qatar Airways Cargo customers in the Republic of Ireland will also greatly benefit in terms of time and cost savings, as they will no longer have to truck their freight from the Republic of Ireland to United Kingdom.”
The addition of Colombo and Dublin to the pharma network will enable Qatar Airways Cargo to offer its specialist pharmaceuticals transport solution, ‘QR Pharma’ to an expanding global customer base.
