Etihad Cargo rolls out new B777F on Milan-Bogotá route

by Payload Asia

Etihad Cargo’s new B777 freighter has commenced operations on the Milan Malpensa-Bogotá route following the addition of the new aircraft to the fleet at the end of February 2016 which takes Etihad Cargo’s dedicated freighter fleet to a total of 11 aircraft.

Etihad CARGO 777_3

The service has been running since November 2014 with a wet lease B747 and this is the first time Etihad’s own aircraft has operated on the sector. The aircraft is capable of transporting over 100 tonnes of cargo on each flight and will strengthen the cargo division’s operation between South America and Europe.

David Kerr, VP of Etihad Cargo, said: “The aircraft will support the continuing growth of Etihad Cargo during 2016. We are adding to our fleet this year with a further aircraft on order and building our reputation globally as the trusted global carrier of choice.

Italy is already Europe’s third largest cargo market and Milan is growing as an important European cargo hub.  Etihad Cargo and the airline’s equity partner, Alitalia, are able to offer capacity on freighters or in bellyhold for clients who are importing and exporting from Milan. While both carriers share a growing global network which customers can access.

Etihad Cargo generated over US$1 billion in revenue and reported strong cargo volumes for 2015, with 592,090 tonnes of freight and mail flown in total, a four per cent increase over 2014’s figures. The cargo division also accounted for 88 per cent of cargo imports, exports and transfers at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

On the importance of speciality products and services Kerr added: “We have a commitment to working with clients to meet their specific requirements and it is their business needs which have driven the designs of our product range so that we are in close symmetry.”

Etihad Cargo currently runs a series of specialised products for operators including four branded products: Sky Stables for the equine industry, TempCheck for the pharmaceutical market, Safeguard to move valuable cargo with the highest degree of care and security and FastTrack, a premium service which includes priority handling.

Etihad Cargo’s fleet includes four B777Fs, three B747s and four A330s. The Cargo division of the national airline carrier of the UAE currently serves 14 freighter-only destinations worldwide from its Abu Dhabi hub and has freighter capacity on Etihad Airways’ fleet of over 100 passenger aircraft.