Qatar Airways Cargo has clarified reports suggesting a permanent move of its freighter operations to Doha International Airport (DIA), confirming to Air Cargo News that the airport will only function as a temporary technical stop from April to June 2026.
Technical stops are typically used for maintenance, refuelling or other operational requirements, and Qatar Airways Cargo emphasised that Hamad International Airport (HIA) remains its primary hub for all cargo operations. “Hamad International Airport (HIA) remains Qatar Airways Cargo’s primary hub for all cargo operations and will be using Doha International Airport (DIA) only as a temporary tech‑stop during the period April 2026 to June 2026,” the carrier said.
The clarification comes after media reports speculated that Qatar Airways Cargo planned to relocate its freighter operations permanently to DIA. Questions remain about whether any cargo handling will take place during this three-month period, and ACN has requested additional details regarding the nature of the technical stop.
Qatar Airways Cargo began transferring operations from DIA to HIA 12 years ago to alleviate congestion and address capacity constraints. The first shipment was received at HIA on 1 December 2013, with the airport officially opening in April 2014. Since then, HIA has been the carrier’s central cargo hub, offering enhanced capacity and modern infrastructure.
The HIA cargo terminal can handle 5,700 shipments simultaneously and had an annual handling capacity of 1.4 million tonnes by 2015, representing a 75 per cent increase over DIA’s capabilities at the time. The 55,000-square-metre, two-floor facility includes 11 widebody freighter stands, 42 airside loading docks, 32 landside truck-loading facilities with full X-ray screening, a live animal centre, dedicated areas for dangerous goods and perishables, and an automated storage and retrieval system capable of processing up to 1,000 Unit Load Devices (ULDs) at a time.
Hamad International’s infrastructure ensures efficient cargo processing and supports Qatar Airways Cargo’s global freighter network, underscoring why HIA remains the airline’s primary cargo hub despite the short-term use of DIA for technical operations.
