Etihad Crystal Cargo

Etihad Crystal Cargo signs new freighter deal

Etihad Crystal Cargo has signed a multi-year contract extension with World Airways (part of Global Aviation Holdings) to provide two MD-11 cargo aircraft operating on scheduled routes to Europe, Asia and Africa.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is the fast growing cargo division of Etihad Airways. Read more

Etihad Crystal Cargo commences Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft services

Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, has commenced scheduled services with its first Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft, operating from Abu Dhabi to Tripoli in Libya. Read more

Etihad delivery of first Airbus A330-200 Freighter marks record month

Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft.

Etihad is the launch customer for the freighter which made its maiden flight from Airbus in Toulouse to the airline’s base in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, 9th August.

The freighter will boost the airline’s expanding fleet of cargo aircraft and arrives at a time when cargo volumes are at their highest for Etihad.

Etihad Crystal Cargo carried a record tonnage in July of more than 23,000 tonnes. More than 30,000 shipments were carried during the month, driven by increased volumes from Pakistan, Australia, China and Bangladesh. The United Arab Emirates was the top cargo destination.

In the year to date Etihad Crystal Cargo has experienced a 21 per cent growth in tonnage and a 30 per cent growth in yield. Overall cargo revenue has grown by 57 per cent since this time last year.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, said: “The arrival of our new A330-200 freighter marks a new era in Etihad’s cargo services and will support Etihad’s goal to expand that side of the business further.”

“The aircraft will bring us more payloads, at a reduced operating cost, and will offer us better connectivity in our flight network, with greater transfer flows.”

The Airbus A330-200 freighter aircraft can carry up to 64 metric tonnes of cargo and can fly up to 7,400 kilometres non-stop. It will allow Etihad Crystal Cargo to increase frequencies and build its presence in the high-growth European and Asian freight markets.

Etihad Crystal Cargo will take delivery of a second Airbus A330-200 freighter in October 2010 and the two Airbus A330-200s will join the two leased MD-11 freighters and two leased A300 leased freighters.

Etihad Crystal Cargo launch service to Erbil

Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, has launched a weekly service from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The service operates an A300-600F freighter to Erbil with a payload of 42 tonnes on the route. Flights commenced last month on March 26 and will operate every Tuesday and Saturday.

Cargo flights to Erbil are Etihad’s second cargo service to Iraq, following a twice weekly service to Baghdad.

Des Vertannes, Executive Vice President of Cargo said: “We are very pleased to be operating our  second service to Iraq.

“Our service to Baghdad has built a strong customer base in the country and we look forward to continuing our contribution to developing commercial ties between the UAE and Iraq.”

With its fleet of two Airbus A300-600 aircraft and two MD11, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 22 cargo freighter destinations in the Middle East and Africa and 70 destinations across the globe.