Tag: Etihad Cargo

  • Etihad Cargo operates over 300 flights from Ezhou to Abu Dhabi

    Etihad Cargo operates over 300 flights from Ezhou to Abu Dhabi

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has operated 329 scheduled flights and charters from Ezhou Huahu Airport to Zayed International Airport, further reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for customers across diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and perishables. Since the carrier’s inaugural flight to Ezhou Huahu Airport on August 18 2023, making it the first international airline to operate flights to Ezhou, Etihad Cargo has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key markets in Asia, Europe, and beyond.

    Ezhou Huahu Airport, Asia’s first dedicated freighter hub, has provided a strategic base for Etihad Cargo’s operations, facilitating the movement of over 18,700 tonnes of export cargo and more than 400 tonnes of imports through Abu Dhabi since 2023. The introduction of a sixth weekly scheduled flight in July 2024 and a seventh flight in 2025 have boosted the carrier’s network, ensuring seamless and efficient connections to key global markets. The recently achieved IATA CEIV Pharma certification by Ezhou Huahu Airport’s ground handling services has further improved its capabilities to support specialised cargo requirements, particularly for the pharmaceutical sector.

    Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo, said: “As the first international carrier to operate from Ezhou, Etihad Cargo is proud to have played a pivotal role in demonstrating the airport’s superior capabilities and strategic importance within just one year of operations. Etihad Cargo’s customers have expressed high satisfaction with the reliability and efficiency of the service, validating the carrier’s decision to partner with Ezhou and recognising its potential as a global cargo hub. Ezhou Huahu Airport’s advanced infrastructure has impressed exporters and local customers alike, especially in facilitating seamless imports, while Etihad Cargo’s efforts to showcase Ezhou’s connectivity and capabilities to exporters in Europe and beyond are paving the way for even greater opportunities.”

    Ezhou Huahu Airport, with its advanced facilities and strategic location, has emerged as a key logistics hub, enabling the seamless movement of goods across Asia and beyond. Its extensive network of 36 international cargo routes, combined with Etihad Cargo’s global connectivity through Abu Dhabi, has created significant value for customers seeking efficient and reliable cargo solutions. The collaborative efforts of partners, stakeholders, and local authorities have been essential in driving the success of Etihad Cargo’s operations in the region.

    Li Wei, Deputy General Manager of Ezhou Huahu International Airport, said: “Ezhou Huahu International Airport is located in central China, boasting a strategic geographical advantage and solid foundational conditions. A domestic hub-and-spoke route network is already established, while international logistics channels are rapidly taking shape. Port functionalities are continuously improving, and operational capabilities are steadily advancing. In 2024, the airport’s cargo and mail throughput is projected to rank fifth nationwide, with 36 international cargo routes already operational. Ezhou Huahu International Airport regards Etihad Cargo as a key strategic partner and supports the launch of more cargo routes at the airport, achieving even greater milestones in the future.”

    Etihad Cargo’s operations in Ezhou are a key component of the carrier’s extensive network in Greater China, which will grow to 23 weekly freighters and 25 weekly passenger flights in 2025.

  • Etihad Cargo extends Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology partnership to boost national ICV programme

    Etihad Cargo extends Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology partnership to boost national ICV programme

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has extended its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), offering preferential air cargo rates to In-Country Value (ICV)-certified companies. This initiative comes as part of Etihad Cargo’s commitment to promoting local products, strengthening the UAE’s industrial sector and enhancing its competitiveness in international markets.

    Providing discounted air cargo rates across Etihad Cargo’s fleet, the extended MoU was signed by Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo, and Salama Al Awadi, Director of National In-Country Value Programme (ICV) at MoIAT, in the presence of His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT. The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

    Under the extended MoU, Etihad Cargo will continue to offer a 25 per cent discount on air cargo tariffs to ICV-certified companies. As a result, more UAE-based companies will be able to scale their operations across the UAE and access more international markets. Building on the original agreement signed in 2021, the partnership highlights Etihad Cargo’s significant role in driving the UAE’s ambitious efforts to boost in-country value and empower local manufacturers.

    HE Al Suwaidi said: “The extended MoU is aligned with the Ministry’s National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (Operation 300bn), aimed at diversifying the national economy and enhancing the UAE’s industrial sector competitiveness. The National ICV Programme serves as a key pillar in empowering this sector and boosting the resilience and sustainability of supply chains. Moreover, extending the agreement will enhance the export capabilities of local companies.

    “Leading national companies, such as Etihad Airways, always strive to support the UAE’s drive towards sustainable industrial and economic development. Etihad Airways is a strategic partner of MoIAT and was one of the first companies to join the National ICV Program in 2021. It also prioritises local suppliers and industrial companies in its procurement business.

    “The UAE has set a clear vision to elevate the national business environment and foster a competitive economy. Therefore, the MoU underscores the important role of national entities in supporting local products and steering larger demand towards local procurement,” HE Al Suwaidi added.

    Brun said: “Etihad Cargo remains committed to fostering a supportive environment for local manufacturers and companies. It delivers bespoke logistics solutions that align with the UAE’s In-Country Value goals. This collaboration offers the UAE’s industrial and service companies the opportunity to expand into more international markets. Therefore, it aligns with Etihad Cargo’s commitment to advancing the targets of Operation 300bn along with Abu Dhabi’s vision of economic diversification and long-term sustainability.”

    Extending the MoU between Etihad Cargo and MoIAT reaffirms their shared strategic vision to leverage logistics operations as a catalyst for sustainable industrial growth in the UAE. It also embodies Etihad Cargo’s ongoing commitment to developing the local industry and enabling ICV-certified companies to expand glob

  • Etihad Cargo reaches 10-year milestone in Vietnam

    Etihad Cargo reaches 10-year milestone in Vietnam

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, is celebrating a decade of successful operations in Vietnam. This milestone highlights the carrier’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s booming trade and economic growth, particularly in the high-tech and manufacturing sectors.

    Since the launch of freighter services in July 2014, Etihad Cargo has continuously expanded its operations in Vietnam. The airline began with two A330 freighter flights to Hanoi per week, offering 120 tonnes of cargo capacity. Today, Etihad Cargo operates four weekly Boeing 777F freighter flights, providing 400 tonnes of capacity to support the growing market demand. Etihad Cargo has played a crucial role in transporting high-tech goods for major global brands such as Samsung, Apple, Dell, and LG, alongside garments, textiles, footwear, and other products from Vietnam to Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Africa.

    In addition to its Hanoi operations, Etihad Cargo also serves Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s second-largest air cargo market. The carrier offers two weekly charter flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur, effectively creating an online station to provide customers with a reliable solution for transporting cargo globally via Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, Etihad Cargo leverages its interline partners to offer customers access to other key Asian hubs, including Denpasar, Singapore, Phuket, Bangkok, and Manila.

    Etihad Cargo’s SecureTech product, introduced to support the growing demand for electronics shipments, has seen significant growth in Vietnam. In 2024, SecureTech shipments from Hanoi saw a 43 per cent year-on-year increase, rising to 5,174 tonnes from 3,618 tonnes during the same period in 2023. This growth reflects Vietnam’s critical role in the global electronics supply chain and Etihad Cargo’s ability to provide reliable logistics solutions for sensitive high-tech goods.

    Vietnam, recognised as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, remains a strategic market for Etihad Cargo. The carrier remains committed to increasing its frequencies and capacity in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to meet the ever-growing demand for airfreight services. This expansion aligns with Etihad Cargo’s goal of maintaining its position as the Air Cargo Partner of Choice for customers in Vietnam and beyond.

    Reflecting on the 10-year milestone, Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo, said: “Etihad Cargo’s decade of successful operations in Hanoi and across Vietnam demonstrates the carrier’s long-term commitment to this dynamic market. By continually enhancing its products and services, expanding capacity, and investing in digitalisation, Etihad Cargo ensures that customers receive the high-quality air cargo solutions they expect. Etihad Cargo looks forward to further strengthening its presence and meeting the evolving logistics needs of Vietnam.”

    Etihad Cargo has also made significant strides in digitalisation, with the majority of Vietnamese customers utilising the carrier’s online booking platform and track-and-trace capabilities. This has streamlined the shipping process, enabling greater efficiency and customer satisfaction. In 2021 and 2022, the Hanoi station achieved the highest revenue contribution across Etihad Cargo’s network, further cementing its importance in the airline’s global operations.

    As Etihad Cargo continues to support Vietnam’s economic growth, the airline is committed to providing reliable and innovative air cargo solutions that help drive the country’s expanding trade footprint.

  • eleport and Etihad Cargo partners in line with growing trade flow between Southeast Asia and Middle East

    eleport and Etihad Cargo partners in line with growing trade flow between Southeast Asia and Middle East

    Teleport, an integrated logistics provider, and Etihad Cargo have partnered to inject cargo capacity and frequency into their respective cargo network between Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with plans to increase frequency shortly. This move is against a backdrop of growing airfreight demand and trade between the two regions.

    Trade between the Gulf nations and emerging Asian nations continues to show high growth momentum, surging 35% from US$383bil in 2021 to US$516bil in 2022, and is expected to reach US$757bil by 2030, outstripping growth rate with Western nations such as the US, UK and the Euro Area. At the same time, air freight demand continues to pose double-digit growth across all regions, having risen 14.1% as of June 2024.

    Since signing the partnership in May this year, Teleport has deployed its freighters for Etihad to ship machines, raw materials, phones and chip sets among others, from Ho Chi Minh to Kuala Lumpur twice a week, with onward connection via Etihad’s capacity to Abu Dhabi and beyond. This partnership also enables both parties to maximise the available passenger belly capacity especially out of leisure hubs such as Bali and Phuket, by leveraging on each other’s network strength. Etihad will deepen its connectivity in Southeast Asia on the back of Teleport’s extensive network in the region, while Teleport leverages Etihad’s strong global network to expand its network reach into the Middle East, Europe, Americas and the African regions. By the end of this year, the partnership is expected to see 1600 tonnes of cargo moved between the two destinations with the potential for an increase in flight frequency and new routes.

    Stanislas Brun, Vice President of Cargo at Etihad Cargo said, “We continue to anchor our strategy on key partnerships that will enable us to better serve our customer needs while supporting global trade. This recent partnership with Teleport is important to enhance our connectivity to Southeast Asia, and we are confident that through the integration of their freighter operations and our capacity, we are able to continue to grow and build a more efficient and robust network that better serves both regions, and quickly. The market environment is highly favourable to grow our presence here today, and with a strong air partner like Teleport.”

    Jagedeswaran Nadrajah, Head of Air Partners at Teleport, commented “The integration of Etihad’s global network with our largest Southeast Asia network has opened up a more dynamic way to connect cargo between these two regions – leveraging on the strengths of both our networks. This is valuable to both our existing and new customers trading between two important regions. This sort of synergy is testament to what Teleport has been building through its Air Partners programme as a win-win solution for all Teleport Air Partners, where we can continue to build and grow, and never fly empty.”

  • Etihad Cargo expands European freighter network with launch of Madrid

    Etihad Cargo expands European freighter network with launch of Madrid

    Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, is expanding its freighter network with a new route to Madrid. Starting 15 July 2024, Etihad Cargo will operate two weekly Boeing 777 freighter flights between Abu Dhabi and Madrid, adding over 200 tonnes of cargo capacity for Europe.

    The launch of a twice-weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Madrid will increase the total number of flights to Spain to 25 per week. Etihad Cargo 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. This expansion highlights the strategic importance of these destinations, particularly Madrid as a key European fashion hub, and aims to boost 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. Customers will also benefit from additional belly hold capacity offered as part of the carrier’s summer schedule, which includes the launch of two weekly seasonal flights to Nice. Flights to Athens will increase to 14 per week, with two operating via seasonal destination Mykonos and two via Santorini. A new route to Antalya will operate with three weekly flights, and flights to Istanbul will increase from ten to 14 per week starting 22 July 2024. Additionally, Dublin will see three more flights from 23 July 2024, totalling ten per week.

    Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo, stated, “Launching Madrid as Etihad Cargo’s latest European freighter destination supports the growing demand for e-commerce flows between Asia and Europe. Madrid’s role as a key fashion hub makes it an essential destination for the carrier’s freighter network.”

    Etihad Cargo’s hub in Abu Dhabi serves as a crucial link between East and West, providing efficient and reliable cargo services to meet the specific needs of the fashion industry and other sectors dependent on timely e-commerce deliveries.

  • Etihad Cargo has signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Trinity Logistics

    Etihad Cargo has signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Trinity Logistics

    Under the agreement, the carrier will fly freighters on behalf of the New York-based forwarder from Colombo, Sri Lanka to Columbus, Ohio and to East Midlands Airport in the UK. The weekly flight will be operated with Etihad’s Boeing 747-8F, which offers a cargo capacity of approximately 135 tonnes, or one of Etihad’s 777Fs, which have a capacity of approximately 103 tonnes.

    “Through our partnership, Etihad Cargo and Trinity Logistics are committed to facilitating this important trade,” said David Kerr, senior vice president of Etihad Cargo. “The flexibility our freighter fleet affords us means we are well placed to serve the fashion industry which is so reliant on a responsive supply chain.”

    According to Trinity Logistics, Etihad Cargo had already operated several charter flights for the company over the summer, and the new service will facilitate the movement of garments manufactured in Sri Lanka for brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, GAP, Nike and Victoria’s Secret.

    “We select our global carrier partners based on their ability to understand the business of our clients,” said David Pereira, president of Trinity. “With Etihad Cargo, they not only displayed knowledge, but understood the value of creating a sustainable product to a very important cargo zip code in United States.  We expect our clients to benefit greatly from this game-changing solution that guarantees them speed and predictability.”