Etihad Cargo carried a record 175,000 tonnes of cargo in the first six months of 2012, a 21% increase over the same period last year. The jump represents an extra 30,000 tonnes compared to H1 2011, with revenues 13% higher. Etihad Cargo operates to 87 destinations internationally.
Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said: “On the back of strong passenger network growth, freighter fleet expansion and an increase in the number of cargo routes, Etihad Cargo experienced an all-time record first half of 2012.
“Cargo traffic into and out of Asia and the subcontinent remained particularly strong for us over the period, and we are pleased to have maintained a performance lead there and elsewhere at a time when many cargo carriers are cutting capacity.”
June in particular was an exceptional month for Etihad Cargo, when the airline achieved eight of its 10 best ever performance days for transporting cargo through its Abu Dhabi hub – on average over 2,000 tonnes per day being processed.
Four freighter destinations were added in the first half of the year – Benghazi, Dammam, Djibouti and Tripoli – bringing the total freighter network to 27 in 20 countries.
Kevin added: “We also co-ordinated humanitarian disaster relief shipments to Somalia with the international Women and Health Alliance International, UAE Red Crescent and Shelterbox France, in addition to sending vital medical supplies to Nepal as part of our membership of the UAE’s Care by Air charity. In addition, we carried an unusual shipment of Dhow sailing boats to Ireland as a part of a Volvo Ocean Race maritime cultural exchange programme.”
