Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Cargo has appointed Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) as its US-wide cargo handling partner, adding Chicago O’Hare International Airport, in addition to New York JFK and Washington Dulles.
The carrier will have the use of two dedicated parking positions outside WFS’ cargo warehouse and the handling agent’s brand new facility, including temperature-controlled storage rooms with capacity for eight pallets.
Etihad Cargo says the expanded partnership with WFS will help it enhance its IATA CEIV-certified premium products, including PharmaLife for the transportation of pharmaceuticals, FreshForward for the transportation of perishables, LiveAnimals and SkyStables.
Etihad’s head of cargo operations and delivery, Thomas Schürmann, said: “Etihad Cargo’s network with WFS to encompass all three of the carrier’s US stations will enable the carrier to ensure Etihad Cargo’s robust quality standards are maintained throughout the cargo’s entire journey.”
Frank Clemente, WFS senior vice president cargo and express, added that WFS was introducing digital solutions for efficient dock management and landside operations, investing in auto-dimensioning equipment to improve accuracy, implementing IATA DG Autocheck for safer handling of dangerous goods and providing real-time warehouse progress monitoring. It is also introducing the Raft automated pallet storage system to optimize storage and retrieval efficiency.