Etihad Cargo is boosting freighter flights to Hong Kong, Hanoi and Singapore and several European destinations for the summer season as it looks to cater for capacity constrained markets.
Etihad's cargo division said that running from March 29 to October 28, it will double frequencies to Hong Kong to four flights per week, while Hanoi gains a third-weekly service and Singapore a second weekly flight.
These additions complete the currently operated seasonal winter schedule across China, India and Bangladesh.
In Europe, with two extra weekly freighter flights Amsterdam goes to five times weekly service, Milan moves to a twice-weekly turnaround freighter service, while Etihad Cargo will launch new freighter connections linking Abu Dhabi with Paris.
The new freighter flights will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport for Paris Charles De Gaulle on Thursdays and Saturdays.
The same day return services will add 200 tons of incremental weekly freight capacity between the UAE and the French capital.
These services will be complemented by the increase in services into Johannesburg and Nairobi, to twice weekly.
To North America, the airline will continue its twice-weekly service to Rickenbacker.
The carrier said that the network changes reflect capacity-constrained markets that are wrestling with decreased passenger operations or temporary travel bans in light of the public health emergency caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, managing director cargo and logistics at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “With widespread commercial flight restrictions in numerous international markets, the air cargo environment is evolving daily.
“After consulting closely with local and international authorities, our optimised summer freighter schedule is designed to significantly boost capacity and service customers in key cargo markets.”
“Our sincerest thanks to our crew and staff that continue to make these operations possible. The safety of our pilots, loadmasters and ground staff is our number one priority. During these times, additional stringent measures in line with advisories from the UAE Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the UAE GCAA and WHO have been implemented, to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our team and main the highest standards of hygiene throughout the operations,” Shadid added.
