The new route will provide greater connectivity to the Chinese market
Etihad Cargo has operated the carrier’s inaugural flight to Ezhou Huahu Airport. Etihad Cargo’s Boeing 777-200 freighter arrived recently in Ezhou making the carrier the first international airline to operate flights to the airport.
Located in the Hubei Province of China, Ezhou Huahu Airport was developed as Asia’s first and the world’s fourth professional cargo airport. Equipped with a 23,000sqm cargo terminal and a 700,000sqm 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 2.45mn tonnes, according to a press release.
Reciprocal agreement
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.
“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 regional reach,” remarked Leonard Rodrigues, Head of Revenue Management, Fleet and Network, Etihad Cargo.
“Ezhou Huahu Airport strongly supports SF’s domestic and international operations. By growing with Ezhou Huahu Airport, we believe it will bring more opportunities and value to the cooperation between SF Airlines and Etihad Cargo,” commented Robert Zhang, Commercial Director, SF Airlines.
