Partnership brings combined weekly frequencies to nine flights to Shenzhen and seven to Ezhou, to serve electronics, pharmaceuticals and time-sensitive cargo markets
Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines have teamed up to increase air cargo capacity between Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Ezhou, two of China’s major logistics hubs.
The airlines have signed a Joint Business Agreement (JBA) that will see them jointly market and integrate their airfreight services, align service standards, and introduce coordinated pricing.
The partnership is geared towards supporting fast-growing markets such as cross-border e-commerce and pharmaceuticals. By aligning Etihad Cargo’s SecureTech and PharmaLife solutions with SF Airlines’ strong domestic distribution network, the agreement supports movement of electronics, time-sensitive goods, and precision equipment across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
The JBA brings the combined total of weekly flights to Shenzhen to nine. Additionally, the shared total of flights to Ezhou, Asia’s first dedicated cargo airport, has been expanded to seven per week.
The combined Shenzhen and Ezhou totals include the extra weekly flights Etihad Cargo recently introduced as part of the winter 2025 schedule.
Stanislas Brun, chief cargo officer at Etihad Airways, stated: "Shenzhen and Ezhou represent two of China’s most active and efficient logistics hubs. Through our JBA, we are linking our customers to both China’s main distribution hub and an expanded global network.
"By strengthening our partnership with SF Airlines, we look forward to enabling new trade opportunities and connecting more businesses and communities beyond borders."
Li Sheng, chairman of SF Airlines, said: “This strategic collaboration is expected to generate significant business efficiencies, support revenue growth, and enhance customer satisfaction.
"By combining their strengths, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines are better positioned to offer world-class air cargo solutions that respond to the evolving demands of the global logistics industry.”
Etihad Cargo also shared this week that it is adding extra freighter flights to Asia and Europe as it prepares for the peak season, and is also expanding its network in Southeast Asia by partnering with Teleport for a new freighter service out of Cambodia.
