Etihad Cargo welcomed senior leaders from China’s SF Airlines in Abu Dhabi earlier this month as both companies reviewed the block space agreements announced earlier this year and explore expansion opportunities.

During the visit, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines entered into an ‘expanded’ memorandum of understanding (MoU). The new MoU, signed on 16 June 2023, is expected to grow their respective networks via the Abu Dhabi and Wuhan air hubs.

Under the new agreement, Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines will review the schedule of services between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan with a view to increasing frequencies. Future plans include expanding cooperated flights to China’s first cargo-focused airport, Ezhou Huahu Airport, which would make Etihad Airways the first international airline outside China to operate flights to the airport.

In April 2023, Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines signed a reciprocal capacity agreement to connect their respective networks. The new partnership saw the launch of two weekly freighter services between Abu Dhabi Airport and Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in China’s Hubei province, opening Etihad Cargo’s fourth Chinese gateway in its network.

While in Abu Dhabi, SF Airlines’ delegation visited Abu Dhabi Airport’s new state-of-the-art terminal, as well as the Etihad Aviation Training Centre and Etihad Engineering’s facilities.