Qatar Airways has started operations with its first Boeing 777 freighter, the first of three due to be delivered to the Middle Eastern carrier.

The Doha-based airline's cargo fleet had previously comprised three Airbus A300-600Fs.

Qatar Airways' first 777F has been put into service today, with a flight to Amsterdam, following delivery in the last few days.

The General Electric GE90-powered aircraft brings the carrier's fleet to 83. It will be used on routes including Lahore, Karachi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Amman and Hong Kong.

Qatar 777F
 Source: Qatar Airways

"It's an opportune time to be introducing more cargo capacity to our fleet as the state of Qatar is growing at a phenomenal pace," says Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker.

Qatar Airways will take delivery of all its 777Fs by mid-2011.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news