Etihad Cargo Launches Round-The-World Freighter Route with Wet-Leased 747-8F

Etihad Cargo has announced its first round-the-world freighter routing, in conjunction with Atlas Air Worldwide.

The jointly operated routing began on May 30, connecting Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub with destinations in Asia, the United States, South America and Europe.

Miami in the U.S., Viracopos-Campinas International Airport in Brazil, and Quito in Ecuador will become part of the round-the-world  freighter service offered by an Etihad Cargo-liveried Boeing 747-8 Freighter.

In May 2013, Etihad Cargo signed a multi-year aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) wet-lease agreement with Atlas Air to provide a Boeing 747-8 Freighter with 138-ton cargo capacity to operate a round-the world freighter service on the Abu Dhabi carrier’s behalf

The entire routing for Etihad Cargo’s round-the-world freighter service is Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong-Chicago-Miami-Viracopos-Quito-Amsterdam-Abu Dhabi. The routing is eastbound overall but features one westbound leg, Viracopos-Quito.

Earlier this month, Etihad Cargo ‒ which until recently called itself Etihad Crystal Cargo ‒ signed a multi-year aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) wet-lease agreement with Atlas Air to provide the Boeing 747-8F with 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.

“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,” says Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer at Etihad Airways.

This diagram shows the routing of Etihad Cargo’s round-the-world freighter service, operated by a Boeing 747-8F wet-leased from Atlas Air

“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,” adds Knight.

“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,” says Knight.

In June, Etihad Cargo will add to its Americas operations when São Paulo in Brazil joins its network by means of a new Airbus A340-500 passenger service from Abu Dhabi, on which Etihad will offer belly-hold cargo capability.

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter is the largest aircraft in Etihad Cargo’s current freighter fleet. The airline also operates three Boeing 777 Freighters, one Boeing 747-400ER Freighter, one Boeing 747-400F and two Airbus A330-200F freighters.

Etihad Cargo will take delivery of two additional Airbus A330-200F freighters in 2013 and 2014.