Etihad Cargo adds B787-10 passenger aircraft to fly as cargo-only flights

March 26, 2020: To complement its fleet of B777Fs, Etihad Cargo is introducing a fleet of B787-10 aircraft as passenger freighters to operate 34 weekly flights, serving 10 markets initially. Each aircraft will provide capacity for 12 lower deck pallets and four containers, carrying up to 45 tonnes of payload.

A directive was issued by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates to temporarily suspend all passenger services to and from the UAE.

The passenger freighter network will introduce capacity, subject to permits, into India, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea and other places where borders remain open for cargo. On top of that, the current freighter schedule will be enhanced by additional flights into Riyadh, London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Etihad Cargo will ensure the continuity of vital imports into the UAE including fruits, vegetables, meat, medical supplies, mail, and e-commerce.

Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, managing director cargo and logistics at Etihad Aviation Group said, “As the national carrier to the UAE, Etihad is working closely with the UAE government to ensure the country is well served and the needs of the people residing in the UAE are unaffected while continuing to play our role as a facilitator of global trade between the East and the West. In the current environment, it is essential these trade lanes remain open, and with the addition of this capacity we are able to serve those constrained markets that face decreased passenger freight operations, offering a strategic cargo lifeline and supporting the continuity of the global trade ecosystem.”