Etihad Cargo’s Bold Bid to Increase Global Capacity
Clearly, Etihad Cargo is an organisation on a mission to boost both capacity and connectivity within the global air freight network.
The cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways recently launched a new route to Madrid, with two weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights set to travel between Abu Dhabi and Madrid, adding more than 200 tonnes of cargo capacity for Europe.
Meanwhile, the business has expanded its partnership with China's SF Airlines to increase the frequency of flights between its mega hubs in Abu Dhabi and Ezhou. The pair have also launched a freighter service between Shenzhen and Abu Dhabi to boost cargo connectivity and capacity between China, the UAE and other global destinations.
What’s more, Etihad Cargo has strengthened its commitment to the US market by offering incremental capacity beyond its belly hold capacity in cooperation with network partner airlines, thus meeting growing demand for air freight to the US.
Madrid is latest Etihad Cargo European freighter destination
Etihad Cargo currently provides belly capacity via 10 passenger flights to Madrid, 10 to Barcelona and three seasonal flights to Malaga launched as part of the airline's summer schedule.
Launching a twice-weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Madrid increases the total number of flights to Spain to 25 per week.
This expansion highlights the strategic importance of these destinations – particularly Madrid as a key European fashion hub – and is aimed at boosting e-commerce connectivity from Asia to Europe via Etihad Cargo's Abu Dhabi hub.
This new route complements Etihad Cargo's existing European freighter network, which includes six weekly flights to Amsterdam and three weekly flights to Frankfurt. With the addition of Madrid to the network, the total number of Etihad Cargo's freighter flights to Europe will increase to 11 per week.
"Launching Madrid as Etihad Cargo’s latest European freighter destination supports the growing demand for e-commerce flows between Asia and Europe,” comments Stanislas Brun, VP Cargo at Etihad Cargo. “Madrid's role as a key fashion hub makes it an essential destination for the carrier’s freighter network.”
Etihad Cargo expands strategic partnership with SF Airlines
Etihad Cargo’s enhanced partnership SF Airlines will see the former operate two freighters between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou, connecting China to its global network through the carrier’s Abu Dhabi hub.
SF Airlines will operate an additional freighter from Ezhou, bringing the total number of flights between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou to five per week.
Furthermore, the pair’s newly-launched weekly freighter service between Shenzhen and Abu Dhabi is set to add a fifth gateway destination to Etihad Cargo’s growing Chinese network.
Overall, these aforementioned services will provide incremental capacity in excess of 200 tonnes, bringing the total weekly available capacity from the partnership to 630 tonnes.
“By expanding this strategic partnership with SF Airlines, Etihad Cargo's partners and customers will have greater access to strategic markets in China, the UAE and destinations across Etihad’s global network,” Stanislas explains.
“This ongoing collaboration, enhanced by China’s Belt and Road Initiative, creates great opportunities for deeper cooperation between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines and will contribute to the broader economic and strategic objectives of both the UAE and China.”
Supporting global trade
As it stands, Etihad Cargo offers 550 tonnes of wide-body capacity to North America, providing 445 tonnes from the US via 30 flights per week through four major gateways in the form of New York, Chicago, Washington and Boston. The carrier also offers 105 tonnes out of Canada via daily flights to Toronto.
In a bid to address increased demand for air freight between the East and West, Etihad Cargo, in partnership with network airlines, is introducing an incremental 250 tonnes of capacity per week for North American destinations, including the five aforementioned cities, with connections via European gateways such as Lisbon, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
Stanislas continues: "Adding depth to Etihad Cargo’s US network and introducing incremental capacity for the North American market demonstrates the importance of this market and our commitment to meeting customers' needs and supporting global trade.
“Etihad Cargo recognises the vital role that air freight plays in connecting economies and is dedicated to providing seamless and reliable services to remain the air cargo partner of choice.”
Etihad Cargo’s latest expansions form part of a broader strategy to enhance its global network and offer comprehensive air cargo solutions to customers.
By continuously adding capacity and collaborating with strategic partners, Etihad Cargo is well-positioned to support the evolving demands of international trade.
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