Etihad accepts first A330-200 freighter

ETIHAD Crystal Cargo has received the first widebody A330-200 freighter. The aircraft will enter service in September this year.

“The new aircraft will become a key part of our freighter fleet and make major contribution to building the strength and network of our cargo business,” said Etihad chief executive officer, James Hogan. “The additional capacity will help us expand our footprint in Asia and Europe, including China, as well as enhancing our worldwide charter service.”

Etihad Crystal Cargo has also launched a twice-weekly service from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport to Beijing (China). The service will use an MD-11 freighter with a payload of 88 metric tonnes on the route.

The division’s parent company, Etihad Airways, reported a strong first half performance, with large increases in cargo traffic. There was a 21.6 per cent increase in cargo tonnage carried during the second quarter, with revenues up by 59 per cent.

“Looking forward, the trends are promising, with forward bookings on an upward trajectory. We are also seeing signs of improvement in premium traffic,” said Hogan.