Nearly three million people live and work in Qatar, a peninsula
shaped somewhat like a Dover Sole, that declared its independence in 1971.
Its capital is Doha and perhaps many of you have heard of Doha apropos the
famous Doha Round trade talks (the Doha Development Agenda) which were launched
in November 2001. Coming two months after 9/11, the Agenda did not have
a smooth ride into the new millennium and got stuck somewhere in the “modalities”
blues after 2015. On March 1, 2021 Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will
be the first woman and the first African to be chosen as Director-General
of the WTO, which presides over the Doha process. Whether this means a re-launch
of the process, only time will tell: we are all here to listen and wish
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala all possible success. Sure thing, the world could do with
a shot in the arm from greater trade facilitation, as severely constrained
by the COVID 19 pandemic as it is at this point in time. Let’s
get to business. Why are we so interested in Qatar? Well, it’s the
airways, dear… The airways are the carriers of innovation and prosperity
for the world, what else? Qatar Airways has been turning
the moon to gold for the “Night Animal”, as the air cargo business
has been referred to in some quarters for the past 80 plus years. So this
airline has become a real thoroughbred in the not so wide club of the best.
In early January (photo above) Qatar Cargo added three brand
new Boeing 777freighters and now has a field of dreams including 30 all-cargo
aircraft. During this time, with cargo having a field day for once in the
history of aviation, this looks like a pretty good position.
QR Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker declared: “With
the arrival of these new freighters, we are injecting much needed capacity
in the market helping support global supply chains at a critical time during
the pandemic. The added capacity will enable us to support the logistics
around the COVID-19 vaccination which is projected to be one of the greatest
logistical challenges for the industry.”
WeQare Tips Its Wings
Meantime Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, has guided
his team landing QR at the top of the world in annual tonnage.
Beginning in July 2020, Guillaume delivered a global throwdown
in a unique and absolutely original outreach program for air cargo called
“WeQare”.
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WeQare is not complicated, but rather a simple expansive message
of inspiration and commitment that debuted during a time of greatest uncertainty
as the pandemic surged out of control everywhere. Has anybody noticed
“WeQare?” If not, keep calm and read on.
Forbes Magazine recognized Qatar Airways Cargo recently for expressing
a positive, straight to the heart, simple human emotion in words that
everyone can embrace during the COVID-19 crises.
“‘Qatar Airways—Because We Qare,’
has done a great job applying this marketing strategy,” Forbes wrote.
So now being careful, not allowing altitude above attitude,
Guillaume is determined to keep the WeQare initiative moving forward
. . . to what else can be done to advance the greater good.
“Sustainability - environment, society, economy and
culture are being implemented at all levels of our business,” he
said.
As example, “Night Animal” Qatar Cargo extends
some love and mercy to the animal planet.
The particulars of all of that are here.
The take away is: while all of us advance delivering millions
or a billion doses of vaccine to the world population to insure life and
health, we can all still find some room for additional love and mercy.
Helping others after all also helps us as well.
The smile you send out most always comes back. “If you
are worried and cannot sleep, try counting blessings instead of sheep,”
seems to be the gentle, if not remarkable, in 2021message here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMO0S-d9cqc
Kudos to Qatar Cargo, we say.
Can’t wait to get back to travelling, to spend some
time on that cargo ramp in Doha where the night is brighter than day.
Geoffrey
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