Etihad Cargo expands European network with second Paris freighter

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has expanded its operations in France by introducing a second weekly freighter service to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The added frequency strengthens trade links between France and key global markets across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, while providing additional capacity and flexibility for shippers transporting specialised and high-value freight.

The second weekly service comes in response to rising demand from cargo customers across several of Etihad Cargo’s specialised product verticals. Paris Charles de Gaulle serves as a key European hub within the carrier’s global route network, supporting dedicated transport solutions including PharmaLife for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, FreshForward for perishable goods, SkyStables for equine transport, and FlyCulture for cultural artifacts and museum exhibits moving between Abu Dhabi and international destinations.

Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, commented: “France has long been an important market for Etihad Cargo. The introduction of a second weekly freighter service to Paris shows both the strength of customer demand and our long-term goals for the region. As trade flows continue to evolve, our customers need greater flexibility, additional capacity, and reliable access to global markets. By increasing our services to Paris, we are enhancing connectivity between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, while further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global logistics and multimodal cargo hub.”

Etihad Cargo has supported French trade flows via its Abu Dhabi hub for more than two decades, connecting European exporters and importers to commercial centers worldwide. In 2025, the carrier moved over 26,000 tonnes of cargo to and from Paris.

With this latest addition, Etihad Cargo’s operational footprint in France now features three daily passenger flights to Paris, two weekly freighter flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport, and a seasonal passenger route to Nice. This combination of main-deck freighter capacity and passenger belly-hold space provides freight forwarders and cargo owners with increased routing options and greater market access.

The expansion is part of Etihad Cargo’s ongoing strategy to invest in its European air network and enhance global supply chain resilience. By scaling up main-deck frequency to CDG, the carrier aims to capture growing demand across vital trade corridors connecting Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, while consolidating Abu Dhabi's role as a primary international cargo gateway and multimodal logistics hub.