Etihad Cargo successfully operated its inaugural flight B77-200 freighter to Ezhou Huahu Airport, marking the carrier as the first international airline to land at the airport.
The Ezhou Huahu Airport is located in the Hubei Province of China and developed as Asia’s first and world’s fourth professional cargo airport. The airport is equipped with 23,000-square-metre cargo terminal and a 700,000-square-metre freight transit centre, the airport serves as a gateway for air trade between China and the rest of the world. The airport is expected to open ten international cargo routes and 50 domestic routes by 2025, with an annual cargo and mail throughput of 2.45 million tonnes.
Etihad Cargo's expansion to Ezhou Huahu Airport follows the carrier's announcement that it has expanded its reciprocal block space agreement with SF Airlines to increase cargo capacity between China and the rest of the world via Etihad Cargo's hub in Abu Dhabi. This partnership has given Etihad Cargo's partners and customers greater accessibility to 25 domestic Chinese destinations, including Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Nanjing.
Leonard Rodrigues, head, revenue management, fleet and network, Etihad Cargo, said: " The commencement of a weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou opens up new interline opportunities with Etihad Cargo's partner SF Airlines and will enable the carrier to further expand its reach into the Chinese market, which is a key region to the airline and Etihad Cargo's customers and partners. The state-of-the-art facilities and smart technology available in the airport represent the future of air cargo, and Etihad Cargo is fully committed to achieving mutual growth and strengthening ties between the UAE and China, building on the success of this new route."
“By being centrally located in China, the airport has the advantage of connecting to most of the tier-one cities in China within a two-hour flight. Ezhou Huahu Airport provides comprehensive services, including but not limited to a fast-handling sorting centre, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and an international cargo terminal. By growing with Ezhou Huahu Airport, we believe it will bring more opportunities and value to the cooperation between SF Airlines and Etihad Cargo,” said Robert Zhang, commercial director, SF Airlines.
This flight is considered as the latest step in the carrier’s ongoing commitment to the Chinese market. The new freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou will enable Etihad Cargo to meet increased demand for cargo capacity out of China and cement the carrier’s position as the air cargo partner of choice in this key region.