Qatar Airways has announced the appointment of Dileepa Wijesundera to the position of Senior Vice President of the Doha-based carrier's thriving cargo business.
Wijesundera will take on the Qatar Airways Cargo Senior Vice President position and also continue his role with Qatar Aviation Services (QAS) where he has served as Senior Vice President Cargo for the past three years, successfully developing Doha International Airport into one of the most reliable cargo hubs in the region.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said Wijesundera had proven himself a reliable company asset in the past and the new appointment would strengthen the airline's cargo operation moving forward.
"With massive expansion in store for Qatar Airways Cargo including the arrival of three brand new Boeing freighters from next year, as well as the development of a state-of-the-art cargo facility at New Doha International Airport within the next three years, it is prudent that we have someone with local airline experience to steer us through this exciting and challenging period," said Al Baker.
Qatar Airways Cargo has also announced the appointment of a new Vice President Cargo Sales, Niek van der weide. He joins Qatar Airways Cargo from Cargo B and has previously worked with Martinair. Van der weide takes up office in November and will report to Wijesundera.
The cargo hub at Doha International Airport currently handles over 450,000 tons of freight per annum. New Doha International Airport when operational from 2011, will have an opening day capacity of nearly double the current tonnage, rising to two million tons per year when the new airport is fully developed beyond 2015.
