Carrier surpasses 85% ‘Delivered as Promised’ performance
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Aviation Group, has achieved 87 per cent on-time-performance (OTP) during 2020, ahead of its 85 per cent target and despite a significant increase in flight utilization.
The award-winning UAE carrier also maintained a ‘Delivered as Promised’ (DAP) record throughout the year, passing its initial target of 85 per cent, underlining its on-time delivery capability.
“Securing these excellent annual results in Etihad Cargo’s key performance metrics of OTP and DAP which measure the punctuality of the freighter fleet against the schedule and ability to deliver cargo at an agreed time demonstrate the reliability of the freighter service,” explained Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group.
Industry standard
DAP is based on the IATA industry standard CargoiQ, of which Etihad Cargo is a certified member, and facilitates a standardised measurement of service promise. It measures milestones along the shipment journey and marks the point where the customer is notified of shipments being ready for collection.
Etihad Cargo’s strong 2020 performance was supported with its extensive global road feeder service network, which covers 150 stations across the UAE, GCC, Europe, North America, Japan, India, and Australia.
“Etihad Cargo’s extensive global road feeder service network performed particularly well within Europe and North Africa in 2020 with 15,119 total truck journeys – an average of 350-plus per week – within the first 10 months of this year,” noted Andre Blech, Director Cargo Operations and Delivery, Etihad Aviation Group.
The road feeder service network also supported Etihad Cargo’s commitment to guarantee full compliance of industry standards and regulations across its network and enhanced product offering.
Digital solutions
The carrier is also using digital solutions to support automated reporting and real-time information, with partnerships with several ‘smart’ industry initiatives including One Record, CargoiQ and most recently the IATA e-AWB bearing fruit.
Etihad became the UAE’s first airline to implement electronic technical logs (eTech logs). The switch accelerated Etihad Cargo’s journey to paperless airline operations and helped the carrier achieve an IATA ranking of eighth in the world for e-AWB penetration.
Etihad Cargo’s digital transformation has also seen it automate solutions at its state-of-the-art Cargo Control Centre, which monitors and steers its global cargo flows round-the-clock. Smart solutions adopted include the automation of customers messaging, pre-alert messages to inform stakeholders at its hub and outstations, service level monitoring of handling providers and live tracking of trucking services.
“Throughout 2021 Etihad Cargo will continue to review its offerings and consumable items to deliver a best-in-class service with customized products driven by flexibility to respond to ever more demanding customer requirements,” asserted Blech.
