Crystal Cargo’s third-quarter gem

ETIHAD Crystal Cargo has experienced a 16 per cent year-on-year growth in tonnage (from 66,916 to 77,623 metric tonnes) in the third quarter. Revenue is up US$37m to $168m.
In July, the carrier added Almaty (Kazakhstan) as a freighter destination, while a new 777F operates six times a week to Shanghai (China). In September, Etihad expanded its Johannesburg (South Africa) operations to include a twice-weekly dedicated freighter operation.
Parent Etihad reported a 39 per cent growth in revenues in its third quarter to $1.1 bn – the airline’s strongest third quarter.
“Our clear target is to break even in 2011 and this is another big step in the right direction for us,” Etihad’s chief executive officer James Hogan said.
Etihad has added six aircraft to its fleet in the last 12 months, enabling the airline to build greater depth into its schedule and increase weekly frequencies to key markets including Bangalore (India), Brussels (Belgium), Geneva (Switzerland), Manchester (UK), Manila (the Philippines), Milan (Italy) and Paris (France).
In the coming months Etihad will begin flying to six new destinations: Chengdu (China), Düsseldorf (Germany), the Maldives, Nairobi (Kenya), the Seychelles and Shanghai (China).
The airline will also take delivery of four 777-300ER aircraft and three A320-200s.