Delivery of first A330-200 freighter marks record month

The freighter will boost the airline’s expanding fleet of cargo aircraft and arrives at a time when cargo volumes are at their highest for Etihad.

Etihad Crystal Cargo carried a record tonnage in July of more than 23,000 tonnes. More than 30,000 shipments were carried during the month, driven by increased volumes from Pakistan , Australia , China and Bangladesh . The United Arab Emirates was the top cargo destination.

Etihad Crystal Cargo has experienced a 21 per cent growth in tonnage and a 30 per cent growth in yield this year.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, said: “The arrival of our new A330-200 freighter marks a new era in Etihad’s cargo services and will support Etihad’s goal to expand that side of the business further.

“The aircraft will bring us more payloads, at a reduced operating cost, and will offer us better connectivity in our flight network, with greater transfer flows.”

The A330-200 freighter aircraft can carry up to 64 metric tonnes of cargo and can fly up to 7,400 kilometres non-stop. It will allow Etihad Crystal Cargo to increase frequencies and build its presence in the high-growth European and Asian freight markets.

Etihad Crystal Cargo will take delivery of a second A330-200 freighter in October 2010 and the two A330-200s will join the two leased MD-11 freighters and two leased A300 leased freighters.