Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines add freighter service and expand partnership

Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines will launch a new freighter service between Shenzhen and Abu Dhabi to boost cargo capacity between China and the UAE.

The weekly freighter service between Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi will commence on July 13 and will see a fifth gateway destination added to Etihad Cargo’s Chinese network.

Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines have also expanded their partnership to increase the frequency of flights between their mega hubs, Abu Dhabi and Ezhou.

Starting July 15, Etihad Cargo will operate two freighters between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou. SF Airlines will operate an additional freighter from Ezhou, bringing the total number of flights between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou to five per week.

The increased frequency of flights between Ezhou and Abu Dhabi and the introduction of a flight from Shenzhen to Abu Dhabi will provide incremental capacity in excess of 200 tonnes, bringing the total weekly available capacity from the airlines’ partnership to 630 tonnes.

Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines signed a capacity agreement to link their respective networks in April last year.

Stanislas Brun, vice president cargo of Etihad Cargo, stated: “By expanding this strategic partnership with SF Airlines, Etihad Cargo’s partners and customers will have greater access to strategic markets in China, the UAE, and destinations across Etihad’s global network.

“This ongoing collaboration, enhanced by the Belt and Road Initiative, creates great opportunities for deeper cooperation between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines and will contribute to the broader economic and strategic objectives of both the UAE and China.”

Robert Zhang, commercial director of SF Airlines, said: “We are excited to announce that the cooperated routes between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines will expand to six flights per week starting from July, as our two companies celebrate the one-year anniversary of our partnership.

“Working together with Etihad Cargo, the industry-leading company with a competitive cargo network from Abu Dhabi to the world, brings competitive value to customers and enables them to develop their international business with more convenient and diversified global transportation options.

“This cooperation with Etihad Cargo has achieved fruitful results. I believe that having this strong bonded partnership will greatly improve both parties’ service capabilities.”

In addition to operating two freighter flights per week to Ezhou, Etihad Cargo currently provides bellyhold capacity through five weekly flights each to Beijing and Shanghai. It also operates seven freighter flights to Shanghai, two to Guangzhou, and seven to Hong Kong per week. 

Etihad eyes Ezhou cargo flights as it expands SF Airlines partnership

Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines link up networks