Qatar Airways Cargo said it had enhanced its ‘Courier’ service to maximise efficiency, sustainability, speed, safety, and ease of operation.

“Our industry is in an unprecedented state of flux. Traditional business boundaries are being disrupted, as market requirements dictate the need for a differentiated approach to logistics processes. New technologies are being developed that enable efficient change and open up greater opportunities,” commented Qatar Airways’ chief cargo officer Guillaume Halleux.

“The transport of small cargo shipments is a perfect example. Previously considered to be typical integrator business, these urgent medical transports, fashion samples, small prototypes, or the huge increase in e-commerce parcels, form a rapidly growing segment in Qatar Airways Cargo’s daily business operations.”

Qatar Airways Cargo said it transported 40,000 tonnes of Courier shipments in 2022, with a prime focus on e-commerce. This figure is likely to increase again in 2023, it noted, with London, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, and Doha being prominent Courier destinations for the airline.

“In the normal world of large air cargo pallets and containers, small, urgent shipments require particular attention and care. Following a detailed Next Generation analysis of the Qatar Airways Cargo’s small shipment journey, we are now relaunching our Courier product as a faster, more streamlined and future-fit service,” said Qatar Airways Cargo’s senior manager climate control products Miguel Rodríguez.

His Doha-based Product Management team is responsible for defining the Courier product strategy, managing the product offering and maintaining customer relationships. The company gave an example of the Courier modification based on customer feedback and the Next Generation approach as the recent global phase-out of the Courier Baggage Voucher (CBV) mode of booking in favour of the more common air waybill format. “This enables a far more streamlined process and greater adherence to regulatory requirements and cargo messaging standards, thus reducing any negative risks,” Qatar Airways Cargo said.

Another development is the global review of acceptance cut-off times to offer the best possible drop-off deadlines to customers, based on local regulations, airport infrastructures and operational factors.

“Our dedicated Qatar Airways Cargo Courier team ensures that each parcel is swiftly screened, handled, loaded and transferred so as to make its flight connections in the shortest possible time,” said Rodríguez. “Depending on the origin, destination and flight options chosen by the customer, Courier shipments can be delivered in as little as a few hours to up to two days.”

More movement in Munich

In separate news, Qatar Airways has increased its cargo service between Munich and Doha from two to four weekly flights, doubling its capacity. All flights are operated on behalf of the logistics company DB Schenker.

One of the new rotations continues from Munich to Chicago Rockford and via Munich back to Doha.

Markus Heinelt, director traffic development cargo at Munich Airport, stated: “We welcome the expansion of our long-standing customer Qatar Airways. It once again demonstrates the growing importance of Munich as a cargo hub.”