25 March 2009
Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, will now operate its A300-600 freighter aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi twice a week after a new interline deal with Astral Aviation.
The partnership also gives Etihad Crystal Cargo access to the following seven Astral destinations across Africa: Entebbe, Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza, Juba, Kigali and Bujumbura.
The deal, which was signed recently at the World Air Cargo Event in Bangkok between Des Vertannes, Etihad's Executive Vice-President Cargo, and Sanjeev S Gadhia, CEO of Astral, increases Etihad Crystal Cargo's network to 59 destinations, nine of which are operated exclusively by the airline's freighters.
"Last year witnessed a record performance from Etihad Crystal Cargo and we are delighted to expand our global flight network even further following this interline agreement with Astral Aviation," said Vertannes.
"This interline agreement is a very important addition to our airline's cargo division and will help to continue the rapid growth of our shipments across Africa and build on the strong relationships we already have there."
With its fleet of two Airbus A300-600 aircraft and an MD11, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 13 cargo freighter destinations, including Frankfurt Haan, Mumbai, Lagos, Colombo and Milan.
"Interline traffic accounts for 60 per cent of in-bound shipments into Astral's network, and the recent bilateral interline agreement with Etihad Crystal Cargo marks an important synergy for both airlines whose GSA's and customers will have access to a wider network," said Gadhia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo offers sophisticated shipment tracking systems, including an SMS alert service, which allows customers to get real-time information about the status of their consignments on their mobile phones.
The carrier recently outlined its expansion plans, which will see it extend its network to 55 destinations. During the course of the year, 11 new passenger aircraft will join the Etihad fleet, allowing the operator to launch new services to Melbourne, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca and Chicago, as well as increasing frequencies on an array of other international routes.
Cargo capacity will rise to 3.5 million tonnes as a result of the added bellyhold capability the new aircraft will bring to Crystal Cargo.
Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, will now operate its A300-600 freighter aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi twice a week after a new interline deal with Astral Aviation.
The partnership also gives Etihad Crystal Cargo access to the following seven Astral destinations across Africa: Entebbe, Zanzibar, Dar Es Salaam, Mwanza, Juba, Kigali and Bujumbura.
The deal, which was signed recently at the World Air Cargo Event in Bangkok between Des Vertannes, Etihad's Executive Vice-President Cargo, and Sanjeev S Gadhia, CEO of Astral, increases Etihad Crystal Cargo's network to 59 destinations, nine of which are operated exclusively by the airline's freighters.
"Last year witnessed a record performance from Etihad Crystal Cargo and we are delighted to expand our global flight network even further following this interline agreement with Astral Aviation," said Vertannes.
"This interline agreement is a very important addition to our airline's cargo division and will help to continue the rapid growth of our shipments across Africa and build on the strong relationships we already have there."
With its fleet of two Airbus A300-600 aircraft and an MD11, Etihad Crystal Cargo has 13 cargo freighter destinations, including Frankfurt Haan, Mumbai, Lagos, Colombo and Milan.
"Interline traffic accounts for 60 per cent of in-bound shipments into Astral's network, and the recent bilateral interline agreement with Etihad Crystal Cargo marks an important synergy for both airlines whose GSA's and customers will have access to a wider network," said Gadhia.
Etihad Crystal Cargo offers sophisticated shipment tracking systems, including an SMS alert service, which allows customers to get real-time information about the status of their consignments on their mobile phones.
The carrier recently outlined its expansion plans, which will see it extend its network to 55 destinations. During the course of the year, 11 new passenger aircraft will join the Etihad fleet, allowing the operator to launch new services to Melbourne, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca and Chicago, as well as increasing frequencies on an array of other international routes.
Cargo capacity will rise to 3.5 million tonnes as a result of the added bellyhold capability the new aircraft will bring to Crystal Cargo.
By Staff Writer
© Emirates Business 24/7 2009
