Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) has inaugurated operations at Doha Hamad International following the arrival of a Qatar Airways Cargo freighter at the facility on December 1, 2013. The shipment for Qatar Petroleum was transferred from Europe to Doha. The new cargo terminal has the capacity to move 5,700 shipments simultaneously and will handle 1.4 million tonnes of cargo per annum by 2015, representing a 75% increase from the current airport. “Today marks a historic moment not just for Hamad International Airport but also for Qatar Airways Cargo,” said the Qatar Airways spokesperson. “The cargo terminal complex at HIA will play a significant role in expanding our global cargo business and propels Doha as the preferred cargo hub in the region, as a result of its sophisticated cargo infrastructure and capacity.” Passenger operations out of the facility are expected to commence early next year.