Etihad Cargo, the cargo division of Etihad Airways, added a fourth destination to its Chinese network over the weekend. The carrier operated its inaugural flight to Wuhan on Saturday, increasing its number of weekly flights to the region.
The expansion of Etihad Cargo’s Chinese network enhances the airlines’ connectivity and capabilities. The airline said it now has greater access to 25 domestic destinations in China.
Increased cargo capacity
Etihad Cargo inaugurated service on April 29th to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the Hubei province of China from its hub in Abu Dhabi. Service will be twice weekly on Fridays and Saturdays on the Boeing 777F. The addition of flights from Abu Dhabi to Wuhan means the airline will operate a total of 10 weekly cargo flights to China.
Photo: Nieuwland Photography/Shutterstock
According to Etihad Cargo, the new twice-weekly flights represent an additional 100 tonnes of cargo capacity to the Hubei Province, which brings the airline’s total cargo capacity for China to 1,000 tonnes per week. With eight weekly flights and two passenger flights to Shanghai, 850 tonnes of cargo are dedicated to the country’s largest city.
Greater connectivity
Etihad Cargo’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Cargo commented on the carrier’s new flights to Wuhan.
“The addition of Wuhan to Etihad Cargo’s Chinese network is the latest step in enhancing the carrier’s capabilities in the region. These flights will provide greater connectivity, market access and cargo capacity for Etihad Cargo’s customers, further strengthening the relationship between the UAE and China and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global logistics and express hub.”
A helpful partnership
The carrier’s service between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan, along with its partnership with Chinese cargo carrier SF Airlines, will also provide increased accessibility to nearly 30 domestic destinations in the country.
“The new flights between Abu Dhabi and Wuhan will give Etihad Cargo’s partners and customers greater accessibility to 25 domestic Chinese destinations, including Shenzhen, Dongguan, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Nanjing, via SF Airlines’ road feeder service trucking network, further enhancing Etihad Cargo’s connectivity and capabilities in the region,” the airline said.
Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis/Shutterstock
Etihad Cargo also confirmed that SF Airlines will fly from Wuhan to Abu Dhabi twice weekly, utilizing 747-400 freighters. The flights come after the airline signed a comprehensive agreement with SF Airlines last month.
Flight/Airline | Departure City | Time | Arrival City | Time | Aircraft | Days of the Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Etihad Cargo 9651 (EY 9651) | Wuhan | 06:30 | Abu Dhabi | 10:55 | Boeing 777F | Saturday |
SF Airlines 7511 (03 7511) | Wuhan | 02:10 | Abu Dhabi | 06:25 | Boeing 747-400F | Wednesday |
Etihad Cargo 9650 (EY 9650) | Abu Dhabi | 16:30 | Wuhan | 04:30 (+1) | Boeing 777F | Friday |
SF Airlines 7512 (03 7512) | Abu Dhabi | 19:25 | Wuhan | 06:30 | Boeing 747-400F | Wednesday |
According to Freight Waves, Abu Dhabi and Wuhan are both located in strategically critical trade zones. Abu Dhabi, otherwise known as a gateway to Asia, Europe, and Africa from the Middle East, handles high levels of travel and trade alongside Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. With a population of 11 million people, Wuhan is a commercial and manufacturing city located along the Yangtze River.
Source: Freight Waves
