Etihad Cargo, the freight business of United Arab Emirates flag carrier, Etihad Airways, on Monday increased its freighter services to Africa with the launch of a cargo only service from Abu Dhabi to Maya Maya Airport, Brazzaville, in the Republic of Congo.

Operating twice weekly using a Boeing 777F freighter aircraft, the new service will fly from Abu Dhabi to Brazzaville via Lagos in Nigeria. The freighter has a capacity of 100 metric tonnes and will transports tools, machinery, general cargo, electronics and project equipment.

Brazzaville is the Republic of Congo's capital and largest city, and a key political, economic and transportation hub in Central Africa.

Kevin Knight, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Etihad Airways, in a press release, said, "We are pleased to add the Republic of Congo to our growing network of cargo destinations. Our new freighter service will allow us to capitalise on trade between the Republic and the UAE, and better connect Africa with markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia."

Etihad Cargo flies directly from Abu Dhabi to eight destinations in Africa, and this is extended to over 30 destinations across the continent through codeshare partnerships with Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Air Seychelles.

Etihad Cargo has consistently outperformed the global market during the last year with 17 percent growth in freight tonne kilometres in 2014, over four times the industry average. Etihad Cargo is one of the largest cargo operators in the world and is continuing to forecast significant growth during 2015, driven by key initiatives to expand its capacity and scope, and to leverage equity and other partnerships.

Partnerships with other freighter operators, including Atlas Air and Avianca, provide strong support to the main operation, and the division is continuing to explore opportunities for co-operation with like-minded cargo operators.

The airline currently operates to 11 freighter-only destinations that include Bogota, Chittagong, Djibouti, Dubai World Central, Eldoret, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Houston, Kabul and Sharjah, with Brazzaville the latest addition.
Source: WAM