Etihad Cargo marks two decades of service in India

Etihad Cargo, the air cargo division of Etihad Airways, is celebrating 20 years of operations in India since its first flight to Mumbai on 26 September 2004. Over the past two decades, the airline has expanded to offer belly hold services on nonstop flights between Abu Dhabi and 12 major Indian cities, with plans for further expansion, according to an official release from Etihad Cargo.

Etihad Cargo transports over 46,000 tonnes of cargo annually from India, linking India to more than 100 global destinations through its Abu Dhabi hub with 588 monthly widebody and narrowbody rotations. To cater to various sectors, Etihad Cargo has expanded its product offerings by introducing new features and launching specialised services. The key commodities transported include electronics like mobile phones and semiconductors, garments, pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce goods, automobile components, and courier shipments, mentions the official release.

"As Etihad Cargo celebrates two decades of successful operations in India, the carrier's commitment to its customers remains strong," says Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo. "Etihad Cargo's continued investment in its network, product range, infrastructure, and digitalisation efforts ensures the carrier can provide efficient, reliable air cargo solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers in India and beyond."

Etihad Cargo is seeking to expand its certified pharma trade lanes in collaboration with key airline partners. To enhance security, the airline has implemented cargo screening for U.S.-bound shipments from major Indian hubs, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad. Since launching its pharma roadshows in India in 2023, Etihad Cargo has doubled its PharmaLife volumes by improving connectivity and increasing flight frequencies. Furthermore, the introduction of the IATA CEIV Li-batt-certified SecureTech product in 2024 has supported the growth of electronics shipments, the release added.