Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, for cargo handling services at 12 major international airports in Europe, Scandinavia, North America, India, and Asia Pacific.

The deal is for a three-year period and will see WFS handling over 150,000 tonnes of cargo annually for the Abu Dhabi-headquartered airline.

In the EMEAA region, the airports covered by the agreement are Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Bengaluru, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Madrid, and Paris CDG.

In North America, it includes WFS' existing handling operations for Etihad in New York, JFK and Washington Dulles and the new award of Boston and Chicago.     

Etihad noted its strategic location being at the centre of the world's busiest trade lanes — allowing it to provide an integral link to Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East via the airline's hub in Abu Dhabi, connecting prime cargo markets across the globe.

Etihad said it has been a fast-growing cargo-handling customer of WFS since the two organisations signed their first cargo-handling agreement in Frankfurt in 2005. 

"Etihad Cargo's long-standing partnership with WFS and addition of new stations are a direct reflection of a shared commitment to consistently delivering high-quality air cargo solutions globally. The combination of Etihad Cargo's expertise in transporting general and specialised cargo and the capabilities of WFS give partners and customers the confidence that their air cargo needs are in the best hands, regardless of where they are in the world," said Thomas Schürmann, head of cargo operations & delivery at Etihad Cargo.

Mohammed Esa, global head of gateway services key accounts & strategy, SATS Group, thanked Etihad for the extension of the two firm's growing partnership.

"As well as renewing existing contracts with WFS, this new agreement adds more key airport stations to the important work we do for the airline, including Amsterdam, Bengaluru, Barcelona, Boston, Copenhagen and Chicago," he added. "We value Etihad Cargo's partnership approach and their confidence in our ability to consistently deliver the high levels of service the airline’s award-winning reputation is founded on."