HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville is known as the “Star of Alabama” and now it can add “Gateway Star” to its moniker.
An air charter route, dubbed “Gateway Star,” was launched Thursday for the Middle East from Huntsville International Airport.
“Huntsville will not only be DSV’s North American hub linking Mexico City and Doha, Qatar, via Luxembourg, this opportunity will facilitate swift, efficient cargo movement to the Middle East and beyond,” said Butch Roberts, Port of Huntsville CEO. “Our International Intermodal Center’s reputation as a convenient, economical choice to do global business is contributing significantly to this new venture’s success.”
The inauguration of DSV’s partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo introduces bi-weekly flights with direct cargo loading and management handled by DSV, and lift by Qatar Airways Cargo.
The route departs from Mexico City to Doha, Qatar, via Huntsville and Luxembourg.
“Our partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo signifies a remarkable leap forward,” said Mads Ravn, executive vice president at DSV Global Transport and Logistics. “This new air freight service underscores our unwavering commitment to revolutionizing logistics and ushering unparalleled connectivity to our valued clients.
“By collaborating with Qatar Airways Cargo, we not only extend our market presence but also create avenues for seamless access to the Middle East with a keen focus on boosting our oil and gas vertical.”
The International Intermodal Center at Huntsville International Airport is ranked as the 21st largest international air cargo airport in the continental U.S.
“We at the Port of Huntsville congratulate our partner DSV on this important new global service with Qatar Airways,” said Trey Bentley, Port of Huntsville Board chair. “We are proud that our International intermodal Center and air cargo operations in particular are renowned for efficiency, economy and effectiveness that global business finds what we have here so attractive.
“When we invested more than $229 million over the past years in building a world-class infrastructure at Huntsville International Airport to support air cargo activities, projects like this are what we hoped for.”
The partnership highlights DSV’s commitment to connecting key industries with other regions of the world, providing improved service and flexibility to clients, a news release said.
“We are excited by this new partnership with DSV,” said Elisabeth Oudkerk, senior vice president Cargo Sales and Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo. “This strategic initiative not only expands DSV’s market reach, but also establishes a direct scheduled service between Huntsville to the Middle East and beyond. The route will see twice-weekly Boeing 777 freighters offering 200 tons of capacity per week.
“With the addition of Huntsville, Qatar Airways Cargo’s network in the Americas now increases to 22 destinations.”
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