Etihad Cargo, the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s cargo division, has signed a new memorandum of understanding with Chinese SF Airlines. Under the agreement, the two companies plan to expand their networks and hub offerings.
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Etihad Cargo partners with SF Airlines as it looks to grow in China
The new partnership will provide Etihad Cargo’s customers with greater connectivity in China through the addition of twenty-five new destinations in the Asian country that are part of SF Airlines’ road network. Carrier’s main hub is Shenzhen-Bao’an International Airport (SZX).
The alliance will be important for the expansion of Etihad Cargo’s operations in China. From the capacity-sharing agreement, it will be able to offer greater access to markets in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
In February this year, Etihad Cargo launched a new cargo flight to Shanghai and now operates eight weekly services. As part of the new partnership, it will operate with Boeing 777F aircraft from 28 April.
Shared capacity
«Etihad Cargo is committed to establishing partnerships that add value to customers across the supply chain», said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Airways. He remarked that the partnership will allow customers to «benefit from SF Airlines’ exhaustive distribution capabilities in China».
He also noted that the Chinese carrier will benefit from Etihad Cargo’s global network of connections and that the partnership will be beneficial to the emirate’s growth plans in that market. «This partnership supports the further development of Abu Dhabi as a major logistics and express hub for the region», he said.
«SF Airlines is excited the two companies can work together to connect hubs and strength the network of both airlines», said Li Sheng, President of SF Airlines. He also highlighted Etihad Cargo’s «competitive cargo network» and said the company «is looking forward to this cooperation, which will offer good value to customers and enable them to develop their international business with more convenient and diversified global transportation options».
