Qatar Cargo supports Norway’s seafood exporters with Harstad-Narvik service

From next week, Qatar Airways Cargo will operate cargo-only flights, using its Boeing 777-300 passenger aircraft, from Doha, Qatar, to Harstad-Narvik Airport in northern Norway.

The carrier said that the service — which will operate three times per week — will provide 150 tonnes of capacity each week and will support Norwegian salmon and seafood exporters by enabling them to reach markets in Africa, Asia and the Middle East via connections from Doha.

Produce can reach these markets without having to be trucked or shipped to the airline’s gateway in Oslo.

“This is a crucial factor when transporting perishables,” the carrier said.

There will also be 50 tonnes available each week on Qatar Cargo’s network that will enable it to import goods into Harstad-Narvik Airport.

Qatar Cargo currently provides more than 2,000 tonnes of capacity each week to Nordic destinations in its network, including Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Copenhagen.

Its QR Fresh solution enables it to transport perishables at optimal or required temperatures from origin through to the final destination, thereby helping to preserve the products’ quality and freshness.

Qatar Cargo has been operating its scheduled freighter services, as well a charters, since the onset of the pandemic.

Harstad-Narvik Airport serves the towns of Harstad and Narvik in Nordland county.

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Guillaume Halleux, chief officer of cargo at Qatar Airways, commented: “In cooperation with Nordic GSA, our dedicated GSA for Norway, we are pleased to introduce cargo capacity and support northern Norway’s seafood and salmon exporters who will benefit from direct connection to African, Asian and Middle East markets via Doha.

“Our state-of-the-art climate control centre has dedicated storage areas for perishables transiting the hub while the use of reefer trucks ensures a seamless cool chain for all perishable shipments.”

Stig Winther, chief executive at Perishable Center Nord, added: “Perishable Center Nord is very pleased to cooperate with Qatar Airways Cargo.

“Operating more direct routes to and from the market will mean a lot for fresh seafood businesses from the north and quality, freshness and competitiveness will definitely improve.

“We are looking forward to start up, develop and together with Qatar Airways Cargo make seafood from Northern Norway more available globally.”

Martin Langaas, director of traffic development and cargo at Avinor, said: “Our partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo has been a true success story for Avinor and the Norwegian seafood industry. With the opening of a second gateway for seafood exports, the connectivity for Norway will improve further.”