Etihad Airways extends 100 metric tonnes freighter capacity to Africa

Etihad Cargo, the freight business of United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Etihad Airways, has increased its freighter services to Africa with the launch of a cargo only service from Abu Dhabi via Lagos  to Brazzaville  in the Republic of Congo.

Operating twice weekly using a Boeing 777F freighter aircraft, the new  service offers a capacity of 100 metric tonnes and will transports tools, machinery, general cargo, electronics and project equipment.

Commenting on the development, Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Airways, said: ‘We are pleased to add the Republic of Congo to our growing network of cargo destinations. Our new freighter service will allow us to capitalise on trade between the Republic and the UAE, and better connect Africa with markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia’.

Etihad Cargo flies directly from Abu Dhabi to eight destinations in Africa, and this is extended to over 30 destinations across the continent through codeshare partnerships with Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Air Seychelles.

Etihad Cargo has consistently outperformed the global market during the last year with 17 per cent growth in freight tonne kilometres in 2014, over four times the industry average.

The airline currently operates to 11 freighter-only destinations that include Bogotá, Chittagong, Djibouti, Dubai World Central, Eldoret, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Houston, Kabul and Sharjah, with Brazzaville the latest addition.

Sade Williams