QATAR Airways Cargo is launching twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighter services to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, starting from October 11. The carrier is the first international airline to commence freighter service to Pittsburgh, which is the airline's fifth freighter destination to be added to its Americas network this year.

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 an easy transit at its home base in Doha, Qatar, TurboNews reported.

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

"Qatar Airways Cargo takes great pride in adding another freighter destination to our expanding network in the Americas, which is a significant market for us," said chief officer cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann.

"Through the announcement of Pittsburgh as our 13th 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 said: "Qatar Airways' all-cargo flights mark the first time this region has had a dedicated international air cargo service. Qatar Airways Cargo has presented a huge opportunity for our region."

Qatar Airways Cargo currently transports 100 tonnes of belly-hold cargo each week on the daily wide-body 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.