ABU DHABI's Etihad Cargo is now conducting daily Boeing 777-200 freighter flights to Shanghai and six a week to Hong Kong, reports Mumbai's Stat Trade Times.
Tiny freighters will be phased out of service once passenger flights resume and a freighter schedule is established Etihad Cargo has strengthened its commitment to the Chinese market by launching 15 direct passenger and freighter flights every week, the company said.
Throughout the pandemic, the airline maintained a wide range of capacity, including converted cargo-only passenger freighters. It will continue to increase operations beginning in July, focusing solely on direct passenger flights and dedicated 777 freighter flights.
In addition to cargo capacity on passenger flights, Etihad Cargo conducts daily Boeing 777-200 freighter flights to Shanghai and six times a week to Hong Kong, for a total cargo capacity of 2,708 tonnes per week into and out of China.
"As the Chinese market starts to recover from Covid and as zero-Covid restrictions are lifted, Etihad will resume passenger operations to Beijing and reaffirm our commitment to cargo customers with the introduction of capacity on key trade lanes," said Etihad Cargo vice president Martin Drew.
"These flights will connect China to the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world via Etihad Cargo's hub in Abu Dhabi.
"China is a critical strategic market for Etihad Cargo, and the direct flights between the two capital cities and other major destinations will further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and China," said Mr Drew.