22 June 2015

Etihad Cargo, the freight business of United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Etihad Airways, has increased its freighter services to Africa with the launch of a cargo only service from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Maya Maya Airport, Brazzaville (BZV), in the Republic of Congo.

Operating twice weekly using a Boeing 777F freighter aircraft, the new service will fly from Abu Dhabi to Brazzaville via Lagos airport (LOS) in Nigeria. The freighter has a capacity of 100 metric tonnes and will transports tools, machinery, general cargo, electronics and project equipment.

Brazzaville is the Republic of Congo's capital and largest city, and a key political, economic and transportation hub in Central Africa.  

Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Airways, said: "We are pleased to add the Republic of Congo to our growing network of cargo destinations. Our new freighter service will allow us to capitalise on trade between the Republic and the UAE, and better connect Africa with markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia"

Etihad Cargo flies directly from Abu Dhabi to eight destinations in Africa, and this is extended to over 30 destinations across the continent through codeshare partnerships with Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Air Seychelles.

Etihad Cargo has consistently outperformed the global market during the last year with 17 per cent growth in freight tonne kilometres in 2014, over four times the industry average.  Etihad Cargo is one of the largest cargo operators in the world and is continuing to forecast significant growth during 2015, driven by key initiatives to expand its capacity and scope, and to leverage equity and other partnerships.

Partnerships with other freighter operators, including Atlas Air and Avianca provide strong support to the main operation, and the division is continuing to explore opportunities for co-operation with like-minded cargo operators.

The airline currently operates to 11 freighter-only destinations that include Bogotá, Chittagong, Djibouti, Dubai World Central, Eldoret, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Houston, Kabul and Sharjah, with Brazzaville the latest addition.

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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to 110 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 68 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and seven Airbus A380s.

 Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.  For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

For more information, contact:
John Greenway, Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Tel: + 971 2 511 1520
Email: jgreenway@etihad.ae

© Press Release 2015