UAE’s Etihad expands its passenger freighter network

The cargo and logistics arm of UAE’s Etihad Aviation Group, Etihad Cargo, has added five extra routes using the carrier’s passenger aircraft to increase the flow of essential supplies into the UAE.

The expansion will also embolden east-west connectivity between major markets.

Etihad Cargo is introducing services between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, Chennai, Kerala, Karachi, and Amsterdam using a bellyhold capacity on a mix of Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft.

This is in addition to passenger freighters already operating cargo-only flights to 10 destinations, namely Seoul, Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Riyadh.

The new routes will ensure continuity of fresh imports into the UAE including meat, fish and seafood, fruits, and vegetables, in addition to pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

This is to support the UAE’s endeavours towards food security and national health as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With these additional flights, Etihad Cargo will now operate more than 90 weekly turnaround flights to 29 destinations across five continents using the combined fleet of dedicated Boeing 777 freighters and Boeing 787 passenger aircraft.

Etihad Cargo has also operated a series of special charters to carry urgent consignments of medical supplies from mainland China and Hong Kong to destinations in Europe and the Americas.

The carrier is working closely with government authorities to provide such consignments, having recently operated dedicated cargo charters to Serbia, Greece, Chad, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Italy.

“In accordance with the mandate from our country’s leadership to preserve the well-being and safety of the citizens and residents in the UAE, Etihad Cargo is pleased to play a leading role in continuing to deliver essential supplies to the UAE, in this unprecedented environment,” said Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, managing director Cargo and Logistics at Etihad Aviation Group.

“We are also playing our part in supporting international requirements for essential freight, carrying significant consignments of goods between other nations.”

The UAE has reported a total of 2,659 confirmed Covid-19 cases, recording it’s single highest daily increase of 300 on April 8.