Company profile
Qatar Airways Cargo is the cargo brand of Qatar Airways, the country's flag carrier. The parent airline was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Doha, with Hamad International Airport (DOH / HIA) as its main hub. The cargo operation uses IATA code QR, ICAO code QTR and the radio callsign QATARI, with qrcargo.com as its own site and qatarairways.com as the parent site. Measured by international freight volume, Qatar Airways Cargo ranks among the world's leading international cargo airlines and is one of the largest international cargo carriers in the Middle East.
On fleet and capacity, the current Qatar Airways Cargo freighter fleet consists of 28 Boeing 777F aircraft, the core of its all-cargo capacity. In March 2024 the carrier retired its last Boeing 747F and standardized the freighter fleet on the 777F. It has ordered 34 Boeing 777-8F next-generation freighters with options on a further 16, and is a launch customer for the type. Beyond freighters, belly capacity on about 230 passenger aircraft is an important supplement, with long-haul widebody holds serving several Greater China points.
In China, Qatar Airways Cargo has a deep presence. At Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) it operates about eight freighters a week, roughly 800 tonnes in each direction, and from June 2026 the passenger belly schedule rises to about ten flights a week. At Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) it runs about five Boeing 777F freighters a week plus belly connections. At Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) freighter QR8877 operates three to four times a week, mainly for electronics and cross-border e-commerce traffic. Beijing Daxing (PKX), Chengdu Tianfu (TFU), Chongqing (CKG), Hangzhou (HGH) and Hong Kong (HKG) are served through passenger belly capacity. Public figures put Qatar Airways Cargo at about 46,000 tonnes inbound and 145,600 tonnes outbound on mainland China in 2024, making it one of the largest carriers on China to Middle East lanes.
For Chinese shippers, the core value of Qatar Airways Cargo is the global connectivity of the Doha hub. Doha sits at the junction of Europe, Asia and Africa and is a natural transit point linking China with the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Indian subcontinent. Cargo from China can be distributed from Doha on one waybill to the Gulf states, major African cities, European gateways and points across North and South America, including Bogotá, Buenos Aires and Campinas. Driven by cross-border e-commerce and time-critical industrial trade, the Doha hub gives Chinese exports a global path into emerging markets.
Flows run in both directions. Outbound traffic is mainly Chinese consumer electronics, semiconductors and electronic components, cross-border e-commerce parcels, new energy products, textiles and garments and high-value industrial goods, distributed via Doha to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Inbound traffic is mainly high-value consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and energy-related equipment from the Middle East and Europe. Qatar Airways Cargo has a strategic partnership with Cainiao to provide global delivery capacity for cross-border e-commerce from China. It has also formed a global cargo joint venture with IAG Cargo and Malaysia's MASkargo, extending its multi-carrier network.
International air services connecting from China
The Qatar Airways Cargo network centers on Hamad International Airport in Doha and radiates in five directions. In the Middle East, cargo is distributed from Doha to Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Manama, Muscat and other Gulf cities, an important air gateway for Chinese goods entering the region. In Africa, Doha connects Johannesburg, Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi and Addis Ababa, covering the core markets of China-Africa trade. In Europe it connects London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan and Madrid. In the Americas it connects New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and extends to Bogotá, Buenos Aires and Campinas in South America. On the Indian subcontinent it connects Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
By commodity, consumer electronics, semiconductor components and cross-border e-commerce parcels suit the weekly freighters from Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen direct to Doha for onward distribution to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Time-critical pharmaceuticals, perishables and temperature-controlled cargo can use the QR Pharma FlexTemp dual-temperature product; high-value industrial goods and new energy products can use Tech and the high-value security handling. The structure of the roughly 145,600 tonnes that left mainland China in 2024 reflects steady demand for distribution through Doha. On the return leg, high-value consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and energy equipment from the Middle East and Europe suit both belly and freighter capacity.
On gateway choice, shippers in east China can combine Pudong freighters with belly capacity, shippers in south China and the Greater Bay Area can use Guangzhou and Shenzhen freighter capacity, north and southwest shippers can connect through Beijing Daxing and Chengdu Tianfu belly capacity, and Hong Kong shippers can use the Hong Kong belly channel. Doha's position makes it particularly suited to the Middle East, Africa and emerging South American markets, with wide destination coverage and deep connections. Actual payloads and capacity are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
| Connection direction | Main destinations | What it means for Chinese shippers |
|---|---|---|
| Middle East hub distribution | Doha DOH, extending to Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait and other Gulf cities | Chinese cargo reaches Middle East markets on one waybill via Doha, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa |
| Africa connections | Johannesburg, Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and others | Aligned with China-Africa trade, covering the gateways of Africa's main economies |
| Europe and the Americas | London, Frankfurt, Paris; New York, Chicago; Bogotá and Buenos Aires in South America | Connections to Europe, the Americas and South America via Doha, with strong multi-sector intercontinental capability |
| Backhaul cargo | High-value consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and energy equipment from the Middle East and Europe | Matched capacity in both directions, serving China's import trade and energy supply chains |
The table summarises the main directions from public sources. Times are local. Actual schedules vary with the season and are subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
The global network from China via the Doha hub
The diagram shows, from a Europe-Asia-Africa perspective, how cargo from China is distributed through the Doha DOH hub to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Gold bands are freighter and belly mainlines from the main Chinese gateways to Doha, and white arcs are the directions radiating from the hub; actual points and frequencies are subject to carrier confirmation on the day.
Freight advantages for Chinese shippers
Doha as a global hub
Doha sits at the junction of Europe, Asia and Africa, so Chinese cargo can be distributed to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas on one waybill, with wide point coverage and deep connections, particularly suited to orders for emerging markets.
Large freighter fleet
Twenty-eight Boeing 777F freighters form the core capacity, with stable weekly freighter schedules from Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen suited to bulk shipments of Chinese electronics, e-commerce goods and industrial products.
QR Pharma dual-temperature cold chain
QR Pharma offers the FlexTemp dual-temperature product and holds CEIV Fresh certification, suited to Chinese pharmaceutical and perishable shippers moving temperature-controlled goods through Doha with monitoring across the whole journey.
Semiconductor and technology solutions
The Tech product serves the semiconductor, consumer electronics and artificial intelligence supply chains, giving sensitive high-value Chinese technology exports dedicated security and priority handling.
Cainiao cross-border e-commerce partnership
Qatar Airways Cargo has a strategic partnership with Cainiao that gives Chinese cross-border e-commerce parcels global delivery capacity from China via Doha, matching small-lot, high-frequency replenishment.
Next-generation freighter order
With 34 Boeing 777-8F aircraft ordered as a launch customer, freighter capacity and fuel efficiency will rise further, making long-haul capacity for Chinese exports more sustainable.
Taken together, these strengths give Chinese shippers a complete route to the world through Doha: the three-continent location underpins global distribution, the large 777F fleet secures volume and transit time, QR Pharma and Tech support pharmaceutical and technology cargo, and the Cainiao partnership extends the e-commerce use case. Shippers can choose the best option from Shanghai, Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Doha for their destination market and cargo type after assessment by our team.
Aircraft types and capacity mix
The Qatar Airways Cargo freighter fleet consists of 28 Boeing 777F aircraft, its core intercontinental capacity. The 777F is a twin-engine long-haul freighter with high payload and long range, suited to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Doha and to Doha to points worldwide. In March 2024 the carrier retired its last Boeing 747F, unifying the freighter fleet on one type and cutting maintenance and crew training costs. It has also ordered 34 Boeing 777-8F next-generation freighters with options on a further 16, is a launch customer, and will add long-haul freighter capacity as aircraft arrive.
Beyond freighters, belly capacity on about 230 passenger aircraft is an important supplement. Long-haul widebodies serve Greater China points including Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong, and the holds take both ULDs and loose cargo, giving second-tier Chinese gateways daily capacity to Doha. Freighters carry bulk, heavy and time-critical cargo, while belly space carries small and medium general cargo, express and e-commerce parcels; the two are combined according to commodity and transit time. Accurate pieces, weight and dimensions at the instruction stage improve the certainty of the load plan, which is confirmed by us with the carrier against capacity on the day.
Boeing 777F
Twin-engine long-haul freighter with high payload and long range, flying Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Doha and Doha to points worldwide, the core capacity for bulk cargo from China to the Middle East.
Boeing 777-8F (on order)
Next-generation long-haul freighter; 34 ordered with options on 16 more, gradually adding long-haul capacity and fuel efficiency. Routes actually served follow carrier announcements.
Boeing 747F (retired)
Part of the former freighter fleet, withdrawn entirely when the last aircraft was retired in March 2024; current freighter capacity is provided solely by the Boeing 777F.
Widebody belly capacity
Long-haul widebodies serve Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong, giving second-tier Chinese gateways small and medium daily belly capacity to Doha.
Aircraft capacity figures are compiled from manufacturers' and airlines' public data. Actual payload is subject to carrier confirmation on the day of booking.
Airports served in China and schedule connections
Qatar Airways Cargo runs both freighters and passenger belly capacity in China. Freighters serve Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, while Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong connect through passenger belly space. The table gives indicative routings from the main Chinese gateways; times are local, frequencies change with the season and carrier confirmation on the day of booking prevails.
| China origin ports | Connecting hub | Capacity type | Indicative schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong PVG | Doha DOH | Freighter plus belly capacity | About 8 freighters and about 10 belly flights a week (from June 2026); times are local, frequencies change with the season and carrier confirmation on the day of booking prevails |
| Guangzhou Baiyun CAN | Doha DOH | Freighter plus belly capacity | About 5 Boeing 777F freighters a week plus belly connections; frequencies subject to carrier confirmation |
| Shenzhen Bao'an SZX | Doha DOH | Freighter | QR8877 three to four times a week, mainly for electronics and cross-border e-commerce; frequencies subject to carrier confirmation |
| Beijing Daxing PKX / Chengdu Tianfu TFU | Doha DOH | Passenger aircraft belly capacity | Belly connections change with the season; confirm with the carrier on the day of booking |
| Chongqing CKG / Hangzhou HGH / Hong Kong HKG | Doha DOH | Passenger aircraft belly capacity | Belly connections; no consolidated public schedule is available, so we recommend arranging space through us on the day |
Cargo sales at Shanghai Pudong is handled by a GSA; confirm capacity and connections with us on the day of booking.
Cargo booking and connection path in China
Submit shipping instructions
The shipper gives us the origin gateway (PVG/CAN/SZX and others), the destination city in the Middle East or worldwide, the commodity, pieces, weight and dimensions and transit time requirements, and we judge the best combination of freighter and belly capacity.
Confirm space and rate
We book freighter or belly capacity with the Qatar Airways Cargo GSA in Shanghai or its sales network and confirm rates, ULD type and loading conditions.
Departure and Doha transit
After handover at the Chinese gateway, cargo flies direct to Doha by freighter or passenger aircraft and is distributed to Middle East, African, European or American destinations according to the connection plan.
Backhaul booking
High-value consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and energy equipment from the Middle East and Europe can be booked in the reverse direction into Chinese gateways through Doha, with temperature-controlled and valuable cargo handled under the relevant procedures.
At booking, overweight or oversize pieces, temperature-controlled cargo, semiconductors and dangerous goods must be declared up front so we can confirm loading conditions and the ULD type required. Flight times are local, frequencies change with the season and carrier confirmation on the day of booking prevails. Before booking we give the shipper a list of rates, capacity and loading conditions; once confirmed we complete the booking and departure arrangements. Urgent cargo can request priority capacity, subject to carrier approval.
Specialist freight services from China
QR Pharma dual-temperature cold chain.QR Pharma offers Pharma Passive and FlexTemp dual-temperature products and holds CEIV Fresh certification, suited to Chinese biopharma companies shipping vaccines, reagents and active ingredients through Doha with temperature monitoring across the journey.
Tech semiconductor and technology solutions.The Tech product serves the semiconductor, consumer electronics and artificial intelligence supply chains, giving sensitive Chinese technology exports dedicated security, temperature control and priority handling that match electronics supply chain deadlines.
Cainiao cross-border e-commerce partnership.Qatar Airways Cargo has a strategic partnership with Cainiao that strengthens capacity for global e-commerce demand, giving Chinese cross-border e-commerce parcels a global delivery channel from Shanghai, Shenzhen and other gateways via Doha.
Perishables and fresh produce.Under CEIV Fresh certification, Chinese fresh produce exports and imports of fresh goods from the Middle East and Africa can transit Doha under cold-chain procedures; inspection and quarantine requirements are declared under destination country rules.
Live animal transport.Qatar Airways Cargo offers the Live product for live animals, suited to Chinese exports of breeding stock, pets and ornamental animals moving through Doha to world markets under AV procedures. Acceptance is subject to carrier confirmation.
Energy and heavy equipment.The EnergyLift product serves the energy industry, providing out-of-gauge and heavy lift solutions for Chinese energy equipment, heavy machinery and project cargo, connecting via Doha to Middle East and African energy markets.
Dangerous goods and lithium battery declarations.Exports involving dangerous goods, lithium batteries and magnetic cargo must be declared in advance under freighter and belly restrictions, with acceptance and packing requirements confirmed jointly by us and the carrier.
Global multi-carrier joint venture network.Qatar Airways Cargo has formed a global cargo joint venture with IAG Cargo and MASkargo, so cargo originating in China can be combined across carriers within that framework and reach more points worldwide.
China contact
Cargo sales and operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport are handled by the GSA Jet-Speed Global Logistics, based in Room 304 of the PACTL building at Pudong Airport. Belly traffic at Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong is handled through the Qatar Airways passenger network and local agents. The cargo website is qrcargo.com, where shipment status and flight information can be checked.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited, website https://goodhope86.com, accepts air cargo instructions from major Chinese gateways (Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Tianfu, Hong Kong and others) to Doha and to countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. We handle booking in China, transit and distribution at Doha and return consolidation as one service, and can help Chinese shippers reach the Qatar Airways Cargo GSA sales channel in Shanghai for current capacity and schedule information.