Aviation
ETIHAD CARGO EYES FURTHER GROWTH AS IT MARKS 20 YEARS OF OPERATION IN INDIA
September 24, 2024
Etihad Cargo is looking to further expand its presence in India as it celebrated 20 years of operations in the country.
The cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways launched its first flight to Mumbai on September 26, 2004.
Over the years, Etihad Cargo has expanded its presence in India, now offering belly hold capacity via nonstop services between Abu Dhabi and 12 major Indian cities, with plans for further growth.
Etihad Cargo handles over 46,000 tonnes of cargo annually ex India, connecting the country to over 100 global destinations via its Abu Dhabi hub via 588 widebody and narrowbody rotations each month.
To meet the needs of specific sectors, Etihad Cargo said it has also enhanced its product range, adding new features and launching new products. Key commodities handled include electronics, including mobile phones and semiconductors, garments, pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce, automobile components and courier shipments.
The carrier's IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife product provides temperature control for the safe transport of high-value pharmaceuticals, a growing market in India.
"Etihad Cargo is exploring additional certified pharma trade lanes with key airline partners and has implemented stringent cargo screening for US-bound shipments from major Indian hubs, including Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad," Etihad Cargo said.
The cargo carrier's introduction of the IATA CEIV Li-batt-certified SecureTech product in 2024 has also supported the growth of electronics shipments.
"As Etihad Cargo celebrates two decades of successful operations in India, the carrier's commitment to its customers remains strong," said Stanislas Brun, vice president of Cargo.
"Etihad Cargo's continued investment in its network, product range, infrastructure, and digitalisation efforts ensures the carrier can provide efficient, reliable air cargo solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers in India and beyond," he added.
The airline noted that it has invested in advanced technology to enhance its operations. Etihad Cargo noted that the ongoing enhancement of its online booking portal, which now includes options for pets and dangerous goods as well as personalised dashboards, has improved the efficiency of the booking process.
It said that 93% of the bookings made in India are made directly through Etihad Cargo's booking portal.
"As Etihad Cargo looks to the future, the airline will continue to innovate and expand its operations, remaining committed to evaluating its network and adding capacity where required to support its customers in this key market," the cargo carrier said.
