Etihad Cargo is to launch twice-weekly 777F freighter flights between its Abu Dhabi hub and England’s East Midlands Airport on 27 October.
It is the latest in a series of new cargo operators choosing EMA as their UK gateway. In May, Central Airlines became the first China-based operator to fly into East Midlands, on behalf of Chinese logistics firm YunExpress. Since then, Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo and Saudia Cargo have all started running China-UK routes via East Midlands Airport.
UK operator One Air moved its operations from Heathrow to East Midlands last year, since when it has grown its fleet to four aircraft, including a brand new 777F which began operating new scheduled services last month, with another due to arrive before the end of the year to take the total to five.
EMA saw a 17.4%surge in cargo activity between May and July this year. It has reconfigured its aprons to increase the number of stands available for cargo aircraft to help handle the extra demand. FedEx and ground handling firm Swissport have both recently announced improvements to their on-site facilities to increase capacity.
Longer-term growth plans involve the development of four key sites next to the runway for cargo operations, to meet a projected 54% increase in demand over the next 20 years.
The airport’s newly-appointed commercial director, Adam Andrews said: “This new operator is a further positive sign of East Midlands Airport’s success as the number one UK airport for express cargo, with the capacity and capability to grow.”
Chief cargo officer of Etihad Airways, Stanislas Brun, added: “Introducing a new freighter service to East Midlands Airport is an important step for Etihad Cargo as we continue to expand our global footprint. As the UK’s major hub for airfreight and cargo operations with direct access to key distribution networks for both domestic and European deliveries, this route allows for fast turnaround times and efficient customs handling. Above all, it empowers the people and businesses behind each shipment, helping them build connections that go beyond borders.”
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, currently operates six 777F aircraft and, since its establishment in 2004 has become one of the world’s leading air cargo carriers.
