Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines to deepen partnership
19 / 09 / 2024
Source: Etihad Cargo
Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines have announced plans to further expand their partnership through a joint venture that will offer a “unified logistics solution”.
The new partnership will see the two carriers offer increased aircraft capacity, improved transit times, interconnected networks and the expanded distribution of SF Express’s international express services.
Additionally, the partnership will expand the number of frequencies, hubs and destinations served.
“Beyond capacity sharing, this partnership represents a full strategic alignment between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines, combining their strengths to offer a unified, comprehensive logistics solution to customers worldwide,” the partners said in a press release.
The two companies said that the next phase of the partnership will involve finalising the scope of the collaboration, with “updates to be provided in the near future and a definitive agreement to be signed shortly”.
Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad is excited to embark on this new journey with SF Airlines, which will enable both airlines to provide even more connectivity, flexibility, and speed to customers for e-commerce and traditional air cargo verticals.”
Wang Wei, chairman of SF Holding, added: “This joint venture is a pioneering development in air cargo logistics between China and the UAE. By joining forces with Etihad Cargo, we are setting new standards for the industry, particularly in response to the rising demand for e-commerce, airmail, and parcel delivery.
“This is a long-term commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of our operations.”
The agreement was announced at SF Airlines’ headquarters in Shenzhen on September 18 where key representatives from both airlines formalised the joint venture plans.
The two carriers first launched their partnership in April 2023, initially with the launch of two weekly freighter flights between Abu Dhabi Airport and Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the Hubei Province of China.
Later, Etihad added flights to Ezhou and earlier this year they added weekly freighter service between Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines add freighter service and expand partnership
