Qatar Airways Expands Cargo Footprint in China with New Routes

(BEIJING) Qatar Airways is widening its footprint in China’s fast-growing air freight market, adding routes, deepening codeshares, and striking new logistics partnerships that push more cargo through the China–Middle East corridor and beyond to Africa and Europe.

The airline’s 2024–2025 expansion brings more than 2,700 tonnes of weekly capacity across key Chinese cities and adds regular belly-hold cargo on new services to Chengdu (TFU) and Chongqing (CKG). These moves respond to a sharp rise in e-commerce shipments and high-value tech exports flowing out of China, while also improving inbound access for perishables and general cargo. Executives say the aim is simple: match China’s speed and scale in trade with reliable, frequent lift that connects quickly to a global network.

Codeshare expansion and practical benefits

As of October 16, 2025, Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines extended their codeshare to cover China Southern’s three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha, giving exporters near-daily options when combined with Qatar Airways’ own schedule.

• China Southern adds its code across 15 Qatar Airways destinations spanning Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
• For shippers, this means:
  • More through-checked shipments
  • Faster transfer times in Doha
  • A wider choice of final-mile points without extra rebooking or complex interline steps

Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer: the tie-up “makes every Qatar Airways route to China available to China Southern’s passengers and supports long-term growth in a ‘market that is integral to our growth and connectivity.’”

New belly-hold services to western China

Qatar Airways Cargo opened new belly-hold routes in late 2024 and early 2025 to Chengdu and Chongqing, each operated three times per week on Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

• Each city adds about 84 tonnes of weekly capacity in each direction.
• These services support major tech clusters in western China and bring inbound fresh produce and essentials.
• Elisabeth Oudkerk, Senior Vice President, Cargo Sales and Network Planning, highlighted that direct belly capacity gives exporters predictable space tied to passenger schedules, stabilizing weekly planning for factories and fulfillment centers.

Scale, revenue, and China’s contribution

Qatar Airways Cargo reports carrying more than 1.5 million tonnes of air freight globally in the financial year ending March 2025, holding a 7.11% global market share. Mainland China has become a strong pillar of that total.

Key China figures (last year):
– 145,600 tons outbound from the Chinese mainland
– 46,000 metric tons inbound
– Weekly averages: ~2,800 tons outbound and ~886 tons inbound

Financials:
– Cargo revenue rose 17.5% year over year to QAR 17.9 billion in FY2024/25
– A 1.9% increase in cargo tonnes carried, reported at 3.1 million tonnes globally

The airline attributes these gains to consistent capacity, well-timed connections, and smoother digital bookings.

Mark Drusch, Chief Cargo Officer: China is “a key engine of global trade … We are aligned with it, operationally and strategically.”

Strategic partnerships and network feed

Partnership highlights in 2025:
– Tightened ties with Xiamen Airlines: daily flights from Beijing Daxing and two weekly services from Xiamen to Doha, each route offering >100 tonnes of cargo capacity.
– Expanded cooperation with Cainiao (Alibaba’s logistics arm) to streamline bookings and customs flows.
– Reinforced relationship with MASkargo to link Southeast Asia buyers and sellers to China’s manufacturing base via Doha.

These partnerships boost feed into Doha and extend reach into Africa, Europe, and secondary markets.

Market drivers and competitive landscape

Drivers:
– Ongoing surge in cross-border e-commerce (platforms like Alibaba, Shein, Temu) and thousands of SMEs shipping directly to consumers.
– Continued demand for electronics, high-tech gear, aircraft parts, and specialized equipment that rely on air freight.
– Doha hub’s midpoint location reduces transit times compared with longer routings.

Analysts note a broader realignment of global trade routes as companies seek multiple shipping paths and flexible air capacity to avoid bottlenecks (analysis by VisaVerge.com).

Competitive context:
– Other carriers, including Etihad Cargo and Asian airlines, have added capacity and upgraded transit products.
– Competition has accelerated tech upgrades across the sector: e-booking tools, omnichannel sales, and tighter data links reduce booking errors and speed confirmations.

Small service differences—earlier cut-offs, faster ULD build-up, simpler claims—can sway large forwarders and platform sellers.

Joint business and humanitarian component

Qatar Airways plans a Global Cargo Joint Business with IAG Cargo and MASkargo, set to launch in late 2025 pending regulatory approvals.

• Aims: knit together networks across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas; offer shippers a larger, more consistent schedule and shared handling standards.
• Humanitarian pledge: 1,000 tonnes of free cargo capacity for the UN World Food Programme.
• Commercial benefits: simplified interline processes, reduced handoff friction, and unified products for forwarders preferring predictable, end-to-end solutions.

Policy context and official resources

China’s civil aviation authorities have encouraged more efficient international cargo operations, focusing on safety, reliability, and sustainable growth.

• For official policy references and notices, consult the Civil Aviation Administration of China at the English-language portal of the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
• Any changes to slot policy, night operations, or handling rules would directly affect schedules at gateways like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing.

Network footprint and operational detail

Qatar Airways Cargo’s presence on the mainland spans:
– Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing
– >2,700 tonnes of weekly capacity across these cities

Network support:
– Classic export flows: electronics, components, other high-value items outbound
– Inbound: perishables, seafood, general cargo
– Practical benefit: stabilizes aircraft weight planning and reduces empty backhaul risk

Booking channels:
– Qatar Airways Cargo
– Qatar Airways
– Partner carriers: China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines
– Cainiao’s systems help smooth cross-border documentation; ground handlers coordinate cut-off times for fast turnarounds

Beijing Daxing alignment

• Codeshare adds three weekly nonstops to Doha on China Southern metal carrying Qatar Airways’ code.
• Onward connections at Hamad International Airport to 15 cities across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East under China Southern’s code.
• Benefits: reduces manual re-ticketing, lowers risk of split shipments, and improves week-to-week planning for exporters near Daxing.

Chengdu and Chongqing specifics

• Both cities anchor western China’s manufacturing and tech economy.
• A330-300s provide 84 tonnes/week in each direction per city.
• Typical cargo mix: electronics, small appliances, sensitive items, fresh food, pharmaceuticals (temperature-controlled), and general goods for inland markets.

Digital tools and operational efficiency

Executives highlight digital tools as the glue behind growth:
– Enhanced e-booking reduces back-and-forth emails.
– Integrated status updates give forwarders real-time milestones from acceptance to uplift and arrival.
– Omnichannel booking: start online, confirm with sales, and track in a single record.
– Better data-sharing with partners (Cainiao, MASkargo) cuts document errors and speeds customs pre-clearance in some lanes.

For shippers managing thousands of parcels, every avoided delay protects seller ratings and reduces customer service overhead.

Xiamen Airlines feed and operational redundancy

• Daily flights from Beijing Daxing and two weekly services from Xiamen add >100 tonnes of cargo capacity per route.
• This provides factories in Fujian and northern China with additional departure options and helps match production cycles.
• Combined with China Southern codeshare, exporters can align shipping plans with multiple weekly departures, easing warehouse congestion and improving inventory turns.

Market Impact and Competitive Landscape

• China’s outbound cargo growth remains strongly tied to e-commerce and high-tech manufacturing.
• Weekly averages show far more exports leaving the mainland than imports arriving.
• Qatar Airways’ 2,700+ tonnes weekly capacity helps forwarders secure blocks of space for production runs while still accommodating spot buyers.
• Inbound, seafood and perishables use quick Doha transfers to reach cold-chain facilities.

Competition:
– Gulf and Asian carriers have increased frequencies into Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
– Some have revived freighter operations, leading to a healthier market with more choice and pressure to deliver on-time performance.
– Qatar’s pitch: schedule depth, predictable transfers, and strong ground handling in Doha.

Analysts expect continued momentum through 2025, with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa as key demand sources.

Operations, policy context, and actionable steps for shippers

Shippers can book through:
– Qatar Airways Cargo
– Qatar Airways
– Partner channels: China Southern Airlines, Cainiao

Digital booking advantages:
– Compare belly space across days
– Choose best transit times in Doha
– Pre-assign handling codes for delicate/time-sensitive goods

Practical steps exporters often follow:
1. Build 2–3 week shipping calendars aligned with factory output and platform events.
2. Split large orders across multiple departures to limit disruption from a single delayed flight.
3. Use Chengdu and Chongqing belly capacity for sensitive or fast-turn products; route heavier goods via lanes with stronger backhaul demand to manage costs.
4. Coordinate with forwarders on Doha connection windows to match cargo type and customs needs.

Policy watch:
– Monitor the Civil Aviation Administration of China for updates on slot rules, handling standards, and customs flows.
– Doha handling and security practices affect how quickly cargo moves from inbound China to outbound regions.

Joint business prospects and exporter benefits

If the joint business with IAG Cargo and MASkargo receives approvals (expected late 2025), likely benefits for Chinese exporters include:
– Wider late-evening and overnight connection banks for early next-day customs clearance
– Common product designs for temperature-controlled and special-handling services spanning Chengdu to Europe/Americas
– Easier re-protection options through a larger combined network

Historical context and Cainiao’s role

• Qatar Airways has served China since 2003, scaling capacity with manufacturing and export waves.
• The current phase is distinguished by deeper digital ties with e-commerce platforms and tighter airline-to-airline partnerships.

Cainiao’s impact:
– Connects sellers to airline capacity and pre-sorts cross-border paperwork.
– When inventory moves from bonded warehouses with the right data, handlers can process shipments faster and airlines can build accurate unit loads.
– During peak shopping festivals, these efficiencies help ensure flights depart on time and delivery promises are met.

Key takeaways for exporters (summary)

• Capacity into Doha from multiple Chinese cities has increased—more options to reach buyers in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe quickly.
• The China Southern codeshare improves the likelihood of single, clean bookings that hold through connections.
• Digital tools reduce errors and speed booking confirmations, helping keep costs down.
• Qatar Airways focuses on electronics, tech cargo, perishables, and general goods—the product mix driving China’s online sales and factory output.

Financial signals:
– Cargo revenue rose double digits year on year.
– Qatar Airways maintained leading global air cargo market share in FY ending March 2025.
– China-specific totals: 145,600 tons outbound and 46,000 inbound over the last year.
– >2,700 tonnes weekly capacity across eight mainland cities positions the airline to absorb spikes tied to product launches and seasonal surges.

Looking ahead

Much depends on:
– Regulatory approvals for the joint business with IAG Cargo and MASkargo
– Demand in destination markets

If approvals proceed and consumer spending holds, expect:
– More aligned timetables
– Larger networks with shared standards

If demand softens, belly cargo on passenger flights (e.g., Chengdu and Chongqing) offers flexibility to sustain regular service without freighter overhead.

For now, Doha and key Chinese cities send a clear signal: more lift, more choices, and tighter partnerships to keep pace with China’s trade engine. Exporters should map production to expanded schedules, test markets in Africa and secondary European cities, and lock in space early during peak windows. As competition intensifies, small advantages in booking speed, connection timing, and handling reliability will decide who wins the next wave of e-commerce loads out of China.

Official resources and booking portals:
– Qatar Airways Cargo
– Qatar Airways
– China Southern Airlines
– Cainiao

These links provide schedules, booking tools, and contact points for sales and handling teams, giving businesses direct access to the capacity reshaping how China’s goods move to the world.