Fashionable Rickenbacker picks up Etihad cargo flights for Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics USA has signed a "multimillion dollar" deal with Etihad Cargo, which will see the Middle East carrier operate a weekly wide-body freighter service from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Columbus, Ohio, and to East Midlands Airport in the UK.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Cargo, which will operate either Boeing 777F and Boeing 747F aircraft on the route, has performed several charter flights on behalf of the New York-based forwarder over the summer. The formalisation of a long-term agreement is “testament to the success of the collaboration” said Trinity, which is a specialist in fashion industry logistics.
Trinity added that the Colombo–Columbus–East Midlands service has been introduced to facilitate the movement of the latest high fashion from Sri Lanka for big box retailers in the US and to support the company’s US export growth to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  
David Kerr, Etihad Cargo Senior Vice President, said: “Through our partnership, Etihad Cargo and Trinity Logistics are committed to facilitating this important trade. The flexibility our freighter fleet affords us means we are well placed to serve the fashion industry which is so reliant on a responsive supply chain.”
Sri Lankan apparel exports exceeded $4.5bn in 2015, representing 40% of the country’s total exports.
Victoria’s Secret, GAP, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Speedo and Abercrombie & Fitch are just some of the well-known brands whose garments are manufactured in Sri Lanka.
Trinity Logistics president David Pereira said: “We select our global carrier partners based on their ability to understand the business of our clients. “With Etihad Cargo, they not only displayed knowledge, but understood the value of creating a sustainable product to a very important cargo zip code in US. 
“We expect our clients to benefit greatly from this game changing solution that guarantees them speed and predictability.”
The new service will operate from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport to Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus.
Elaine Roberts, president and chief executive of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, operator of Rickenbacker, said: “This new service strengthens Columbus’ connections to the world through premier partnerships with the air cargo industry.”