Etihad Cargo, part of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, has posted an all-time record for the amount of freight carried on its network.
In November, Etihad Cargo moved 49,700 tons of cargo around the world, the most it has ever carried in one month, and up 52 per cent (32,663 tons) on the same period last year.
This surpassed the previous month of October, where cargo carried totalled an impressive 45,830 tons, up 39 per cent (32,891 tons) year on year.
The figures reflect Etihad Cargo's continued upward momentum in what has been a record year to date.
Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways' Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said: "These impressive figures have been driven largely by stronger performance into and out of some of our larger markets including China and India, as well as expanding markets such as the Netherlands and the United States.
"The record performance is also a reflection of strong demand in the final quarter, improved capacity utilisation on our freighter fleet, more cargo in the bellyhold of our passenger aircraft, and enhancements at our Abu Dhabi hub through subsidiary Etihad Airport Services - Cargo.
Etihad Cargo's Abu Dhabi hub had its best ever performance in November, where over the top five days it processed an average of 3,000 tons per day - a new record.
Mr Knight concluded: "Looking ahead, we expect to maintain strong freight performance over the final month of 2013."
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About Etihad Cargo
Etihad Cargo's freighters include three Boeing B777F, one Boeing 747-8F, one Boeing 747-400ERF, one Boeing 747-400F, and three Airbus A330-200F. Three more freighters are currently on firm order including two Airbus A330-200F and one Boeing 777. The average age of Etihad Cargo's fleet is 3.3 years, and 1.3 years for Etihad Cargo's six owned freighters. The airline's three Boeing 747 freighters are leased from Atlas Air (2) and KLM (1) respectively.
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 offers flights to 97 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, with a fleet of 87 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and over 220 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s, and 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus and Jet Airways. Subject to regulatory approval, Etihad Airways will launch a new airline brand in Q1 2014, Etihad Regional, after taking a 33.3 per cent stake in Swiss carrier Darwin Airline. The airline will also acquire 49 per cent of Air Serbia from January 2014. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com
For more information:
Niall Doheny
Manager Corporate Communications
Etihad Airways
Tel: +971 2 511 1058
Email: ndoheny@etihad.ae
© Press Release 2013
