Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Jul 09, 2012 8:29AM EDT
Etihad Crystal Cargo’s traffic soared 21 percent in the first half of 2012 from a year ago to a record 175,000 metric tons as the Abu Dhabi carrier expanded its all cargo-fleet and freighter network.
“Cargo traffic into and out of Asia and the subcontinent remained particularly strong … and we are pleased to have maintained a performance lead there and elsewhere at a time when many cargo carriers are cutting capacity,” said chief strategy and planning officer Kevin Knight.
The cargo unit of state-owned Etihad Airways boosted second quarter revenue by 11 percent to $183 million as tonnage jumped 22 percent to 90,000 tons.
Four freight destinations were added in the first half of the year – Tripoli and Benghazi in Libya; Dammam, Saudi Arabia; and Djibouti – bringing the total all-cargo network to 27 airports in 20 countries.
“Despite geographical, political and economic headwinds in many challenging areas, we remain focused on executing our strategy of continuing to grow our cargo business,” Knight said.
Earlier in the year the carrier ordered two more Airbus A330-200F freighters, scheduled for delivery in the next two years along with two Boeing 777 freighters ordered in 2011.
Etihad Cargo currently operates three Airbus freighters, one MD-11F, one 777F and a 747-400F.
Contact Bruce Barnard at brucebarnard47@hotmail.com.
