KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)'s cargo subsidiary MASkargo has launched a new strategic partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo, the world's leading air cargo carrier.
The collaboration, which officially began on Oct 1, has already seen the successful movement of approximately 2,400 tonnes of cargo, including over 600 tonnes of perishables and 130 tonnes of pharmaceuticals.
Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 flights now fly from Doha to Kuala Lumpur twice a week, increasing weekly cargo capacity by over 200 tonnes.
The strategic partnership will further solidify connectivity and efficiency to Sydney and Melbourne with MASkargo Airbus A330 freighters carrying more than 75 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity to these cities, with a swift connection time of just eight hours in Kuala Lumpur.
The strategic hubs at Hamad International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International (KLIA) will play a pivotal role, providing seamless connections and state-of-the-art handling facilities.
The agreement benefits both parties, allowing MASkargo to access key points in Europe, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Levant and Africa, while Qatar Airways Cargo gains increased capacity access to Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and North East Asia.
It also supports the local market in Kuala Lumpur by enabling the export of products to more global markets.
MASkargo chief executive officer Mark Jason Thomas in a joint statement said that the partnership represents a significant advancement in the company's mission to connect its customers to the world with increased speed and efficiency.
"With this partnership, MASkargo is now better positioned than ever to serve as a bridge between Southeast Asia and key international destinations. "This alliance with Qatar Airways Cargo strengthens our infrastructure and capacity, empowering us to support the regional economy and facilitate the movement of high-demand goods to a larger global market, furthermore, setting new standards in cargo transportation," he added.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways Cargo chief officer cargo Mark Drusch described the partnership as a testament to its commitment to providing exceptional service and tailored solutions while expanding global network through sponsorships.
"By combining our strengths, we are able to offer our customers enhanced connectivity and efficiency, ensuring their products reach global markets in optimal condition. "We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration brings and remain committed to setting the standard for excellence in the air cargo industry," he said.