Etihad Crystal Cargo has begun selfhandling in Thailand, in a move aimed at benefiting the airline’s growing presence in the rapidly expanding Far East cargo market.

The locally-based Etihad team took sole charge of all cargo sales and customer service activities in Thailand on 1 October, duties previously carried out by local cargo general sales agent, United Kargo Kare, since 2004.

Des Vertannes, Etihad Airways’ executive vice-president cargo, said: “United Kargo Kare has done a great job since 2004 in helping Etihad to establish a strong presence in this important market. The team’s dedication and commitment to promote and sell our products and services, has been first class.

“As Etihad Crystal Cargo’s second largest market in the Far East, Thailand is of major strategic importance to us and an important hub for the strong off -line markets in South East Asia. We expect airfreight in this market to grow at an average of around eight per cent during the next five years. The time is right now for us to move to self-handling as we seek to exploit the enormous opportunities that lie ahead.”