Etihad Cargo has announced its first round-the-world freighter routing in conjunction with Atlas Air Worldwide.
The jointly operated routing begins today, connecting Etihad Cargo's Abu Dhabi hub with destinations in Asia, the United States, South America and Europe.
Miami (US), Viracopos (Brazil), and Quito (Ecuador) will become part the round-the-world Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong-Chicago-Miami-Viracopos-Quito-Amsterdam-Abu Dhabi freighter service offered with an Etihad Cargo-liveried Boeing 747-8 Freighter.
Earlier this month, Etihad Cargo signed a signed a multi-year Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance agreement with Atlas Air to provide the Boeing 747-8 Freighter with its 138-ton cargo capacity to operate the new schedule.
The three new freighter destinations in the Americas will see Etihad Cargo's network extend to 92 points across the globe. The carrier's eight freighters operate to 28 of these destinations.
Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Airways, said, "Etihad Cargo is reinforcing its position as a global operator with the entry into service of this round-the-world routing, touching the Middle East, Asia Pacific, the Americas and Europe.
"This goes beyond simply joining the dots, it's about working with partners, operating routes which benefit our customers across the globe, entering new markets, establishing new trade lanes, being cost effective and delivering value.
"By linking the round-the-world capability with our existing Etihad Cargo services through our Abu Dhabi hub, we believe our offer is industry-leading."
In June, Etihad Cargo will add to its America's operations when São Paulo, Brazil comes on stream through a new Airbus A340-500 passenger service from Abu Dhabi, on which bellyhold cargo capability will also be offered.
The Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the largest in Etihad Cargo's current freighter fleet. The airline also operates three Boeing B777F, one Boeing 747-400ERF, one Boeing 747-400F and two Airbus A330-200F.
Etihad Cargo will take delivery of two additional freighters in 2013 and 2014, comprising two Airbus A330-200F.
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About Etihad Airways:
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2012 carried 10.3 million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 92 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of 77 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and over 90 aircraft on firm order, including 41 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways also holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus and, subject to regulatory approval, will acquire 24 per cent of India's Jet Airways. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
About Atlas Air Worldwide:
Atlas Air Worldwide is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. (Atlas) and Titan Aviation Leasing (Titan), and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar). Atlas Air Worldwide also maintains a 49% interest in Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS). Through Atlas and Polar, Atlas Air Worldwide operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft.
Atlas, Titan and Polar offer a range of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating solutions that include ACMI service - in which customers receive an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance on a long-term basis; CMI service, for customers that provide their own aircraft; express network and scheduled air cargo service; military cargo and passenger charters; commercial cargo and passenger charters; and dry leasing of aircraft and engines.
Atlas Air Worldwide's press releases, SEC filings and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.atlasair.com.
For more information contact:
Niall Doheny,
Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Tel: +971 (0) 2 511 1058
Email: ndoheny@etihad.ae
Bonnie Rodney (Media), Atlas Air
Tel: +1 (914) 701-8580
Email: Bonnie.Rodney@AtlasAir.com
© Press Release 2013
