Etihad Cargo flies higher with 9% growth in H1 2025
New freighter, China partnership and SmartTrack tech fuel Etihad Cargo’s stronger network and on-time deliveries.
Etihad Cargo, the logistics arm of Etihad Airways, reported a 9% year-on-year rise in cargo revenue in the first half of 2025, driven by premium products, agile network planning and strategic partnerships. The growth reflects both higher capacity and improved yields, with strong performance recorded across all global regions, led by the Central Region and the UAE market.
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, said the results highlight the carrier’s sustainable performance and its focus on adaptability and customer-centric services. He noted that the airline continues to build on premium offerings, agile planning and close partnerships with customers.
Etihad Cargo’s flexible e-commerce strategy played a key role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and local businesses, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for logistics and digital trade.
To meet rising demand, the airline added a Boeing 777 freighter operated by Atlas Air to its fleet, boosting capacity and network flexibility. The company also advanced its cooperation with China’s SF Airlines through a metal-neutral Joint Business Agreement, introducing a weekly Shenzhen–Abu Dhabi freighter service and expanding frequencies on the Abu Dhabi–Ezhou route. This partnership lifted weekly joint capacity to around 630 tonnes.
Operational reliability improved as well, with Etihad Cargo reporting an 89.6% year-on-year improvement in its Delivered As Promised rate, supported by the deployment of SmartTrack technology.
Overall global capacity rose by 8% compared with last year, backed by new belly-hold and freighter operations and redeployment of aircraft in high-demand markets. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport continued to strengthen its role as a global hub for express cargo and e-commerce flows.
