Carrier witnessed a 37 per cent increase in pharmaceutical and life sciences shipments in 2023
Etihad Cargo achieved year-on-year growth of the carrier’s dedicated cool chain product, PharmaLife and FreshForward, in 2023.
The airline recorded the highest volumes of pharmaceuticals transported in Etihad Cargo’s history, achieving a 37 per cent increase in shipments compared to 2022. The carrier also transported 10 per cent more fresh and perishable shipments, making 2023 the third consecutive year Etihad Cargo has achieved growth for both products despite challenging market conditions.
Etihad Cargo has continuously invested in and added features to its cool chain product range, including PharmaLife for the shipment of pharmaceuticals, healthcare and life sciences commodities and FreshForward for the shipment of perishable fresh produce, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat and flowers, a press communique stated..
Contributing to the increase in cool chain volumes transported by Etihad Cargo in 2023 was the opening of the carrier’s dedicated pharma hub, which has doubled its cool chain storage and handling capacity.
Latest technology
The 3,300sqm facility comprises the latest technology and features, including RFS loading docks with levellers, insulation and floor work for faster and more efficient loading with stricter temperature controls, increased storage space, additional build-up and breakdown zones for improved production workflows and upgraded cool chain facilities for our pharma handling and storage operations.
Etihad Cargo has also refurbished its perishables handling and storage facility. The carrier operates a 3,000sqm dedicated perishables temperature-controlled warehouse, providing smoother transfers to Etihad Cargo’s FreshForward truck fleet, making the end-to-end journey of perishables easier and safer.
“The carrier’s commitment to quality combined with continuous product and infrastructure enhancements has enabled Etihad Cargo to achieve significant growth and contribute to the creation of a more resilient and robust global cool chain,” remarked Leonard Rodrigues, Acting Managing Director, Etihad Cargo.
Additional capacity
Etihad Cargo has also provided additional cool chain capacity to its partners and customers with the addition of new stations and increased frequencies to its global network, which has grown to serve over 70 destinations.
Etihad Cargo’s expanding freighter network, in combination with the airline’s passenger network, supports growing capacity demand for Etihad Cargo’s premium products, including PharmaLife and FreshForward.
More gateway destinations
In Asia, the carrier added a fourth gateway destination in China, Ezhou, in 2023 and offers more belly-hold cargo capacity across new passenger routes to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, operating seven flights per week to each destination. Seven new passenger flights to Chennai bring the total number of weekly flights to 21, supported by a twice-weekly freighter service, the press note continued.
Etihad Cargo recently announced it will be implementing enhanced cargo screening requirements for US-bound shipments from selected stations, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad, and Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore.
The enhanced cargo screening requirements will benefit Etihad Cargo’s partners and customers through shorter transit times in Abu Dhabi, reduced handling and repackaging at transit points, and quick ramp transfer (QRT) and through units (TRU) shipments.
Cargo originating from Australia, China, the European Union, Israel, Japan, South Africa, South Korea and the United Kingdom to the US will also benefit from the enhanced screening requirements, the press statement concluded.
