Etihad Cargo launches 15 direct weekly flights to China
Etihad Cargo conducts daily Boeing 777-200 freighter flights to Shanghai and six times per week to Hong Kong
The tiny freighters will be phased out of service once passenger flights resume and a freighter schedule is established
Etihad Cargo has strengthened its commitment to the Chinese market by launching 15 direct passenger and freighter flights every week.
Throughout the pandemic, the airline maintained a wide range of capacity, including converted cargo-only passenger freighters. It will continue to increase operations beginning in July, focusing solely on direct passenger flights and dedicated 777 freighter flights.
In addition to cargo capacity on passenger flights, Etihad Cargo conducts daily Boeing 777-200 freighter flights to Shanghai and six times per week to Hong Kong, for a total cargo capacity of 2,708 tonnes per week into and out of China.
Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group said, "As the Chinese market starts to recover from Covid challenges and zero-Covid restrictions are lifted, Etihad is pleased to resume its passenger operations to Beijing and reaffirm our commitment to Etihad Cargo customers with the introduction of capacity on key trade lanes. These flights will connect China to the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world via Etihad Cargo's hub in Abu Dhabi.
"China is a critical strategic market for Etihad Cargo, and the direct flights between the two capital cities and other major destinations will further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and China," Drew concluded.
Etihad Cargo maintained direct links into China during the pandemic, supplying cargo capacity via a fleet of adapted small freighters. The tiny freighters will be phased out of service once passenger flights resume and a freighter schedule is established.
Etihad Cargo recently released its summer schedule, which added capacity to important Asian, African, and European destinations. In addition to introducing direct flights into and out of Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, the airline will maintain its Boeing 777 cargo network, which includes flights to and from Chicago, Dhaka, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Johannesburg, Kenya, Milan, and Riyadh.
