Qatar Airways announced it will begin cargo flights to Atlanta, a move city and airport officials expect to enhance Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's reputation in the cargo arena.
Doha, Qatar-based Qatar Airways will begin operating Boeing 777 freighters to Atlanta twice weekly starting Nov. 2. The flights will stop in Doha, as well as in Luxembourg and Houston.
City officials estimate the Qatar Airways cargo flights will bring $12 million in economic impact to metro Atlanta annually. The new flights will directly and indirectly create about 20 jobs, the city said.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, for whom increasing air cargo is a priority, said in a written statement that the new flights will increase market access to the Middle East for local companies. Reed met with Qatar Airways last year at an air cargo forum in Amsterdam.
Georgia had nearly $1.4 billion in exports to the Middle East last year, according to the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
Qatar Airways does not operate passenger flights to Atlanta.
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