Etihad Cargo has added a fourth destination to its Chinese distribution network over the weekend.
Etihad Airways’ cargo subsidiary operated its first flight to Wuhan city on Saturday, increasing the number of weekly flights to the country.
By expanding Etihad Cargo’s distribution and providing access to 25 destinations in China, it improves the carrier’s connectivity and capabilities in the country.
The first flight carrier service to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport departed from Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi on 29 April.
Etihad Cargo will now be providing carrier services twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays on a Boeing 777F, increasing their operations to a total of 10 flights to China per week.
According to Etihad Cargo, this increase in flights results in an extra 100 tonnes of cargo capacity to China’s Hubei Province, escalating their total cargo capacity to China to 1 000 tonnes weekly.
Etihad Cargo currently meets Shanghai’s demand of 850 tonnes of cargo with eight flights weekly, and two passenger flights per week, as it is the biggest city in the country.
"The addition of Wuhan to Etihad Cargo’s Chinese network is the latest step in enhancing the carrier’s capabilities in the region,” ," said Etihad Cargo’s senior vice president of Global Sales and Cargo, Martin Drew, to Simple Flying.
“These flights will provide greater connectivity, market access and cargo capacity for Etihad Cargo’s customers, further strengthening the relationship between the UAE and China and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global logistics and express hub.
The carrier’s partnership with SF Airlines, the Chinese cargo carrier, will also improve its access to approximately 30 destinations in China.
After signing an agreement between the two carriers, SF Airlines will fly twice weekly from Wuhan to Abu Dhabi, using 747-400 freighters.
