Qatar Airways Cargo has transported the country’s first two shipments of 330 Holstein cows from Europe on a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 freighter. These initial shipments are part of a 4,000-head herd that marks the launch of a completely new industry for the State of Qatar.
Mr. Ulrich Ogiermann, Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo says, “We are truly a part of history, helping launch the country’s newest industry, producing dairy products to meet local demand. The cattle charters involve a great deal of skill and coordination to ensure the flight from the points of origin to Doha was smooth and safe.
The cargo carrier has been appointed to charter more than 20 cattle shipments from Europe, the U.S. and Australia in the next few weeks. Upon arrival at Hamad International Airport (HIA), the cattle are carefully and efficiently transferred to Baladna Farm, a huge livestock farm in Qatar.
Power International Holding Chairman Mr. Moutaz Al Khayyat says: “We are proud to expand the dairy industry in the State of Qatar, and are thankful to Qatar Airways Cargo for the expedient, safe and secure transportation of the cattle that have now safely arrived at their new home, Baladna Farm. With the arrival of the dairy cows, we aim to meet 30-35 per cent of the imported milk demand in the country within two months.”
Baladna is a subsidiary of Power International Holding, a well-diversified Qatari company. It has built special cowsheds with a temperature control system to ensure a comfortable environment for the cattle. Baladna Farm, built over 700,000 sqm, includes 40,000 Awassi sheep able to withstand high temperature and produce high-quality milk. The farm also houses 5,000 goats and an animal feed mill yielding 100 tonnes per day.
Qatar Airways Cargo’s charter product performed outstandingly well, with a 150 per cent increase in tonnage in 2016-17 over 2015-16. The cargo carrier also performed charters for a variety of products such as horses, cattle, pharmaceuticals, odd-size shipments, oil and gas products, art, concerts and exhibitions, machinery, mining and humanitarian relief goods.