Etihad Cargo announced that it would offer increased capacity to the European market via two new gateways with the introduction of two new routes from its Abu Dhabi hub to Copenhagen in Denmark and Düsseldorf in Germany.

The cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways also said it would introduce additional services to Frankfurt as it pushes its pharma transport business.

The carrier currently operates seven-passenger and four freighter flights per week to Frankfurt.

Etihad Cargo said from May 1, 2023, it will increase weekly flights from 11 to 15 with the introduction of four new services.

Increased cargo capacity in Europe

From October 1, 2023, Etihad Cargo will also provide cargo capacity out of Denmark with the introduction of four weekly flights.

The cargo carrier noted that the reinstatement of three weekly flights to Düsseldorf, in combination with the airline's widebody passenger and freighter flights to Frankfurt and Munich, will offer additional cargo capacity out of Germany.

The flights will be operated via state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

"Etihad Cargo is pleased to introduce cargo capacity out of Copenhagen, a new addition to Etihad's ever-growing network, from October. Denmark is home to a number of major international pharmaceutical companies, and the country has become an established biotech and pharma hub in Europe," said Martin Drew, senior vice president – Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Airways.

"Via Etihad Cargo's IATA CEIV Pharma-certified product, PharmaLife, the carrier will provide the reliable and robust transportation of Denmark’s packaged medicaments to markets around the world," he added.

Drew noted that the relaunch of flights to Düsseldorf and additional flights to Frankfurt would further expand the carrier's operational footprint in Germany and reinforce Etihad Cargo's commitment to the European market.

The 11 new flights, in combination with the carrier's existing European services and increased frequencies that will be launched in 2023, will bring the total number of flights to European destinations to 700 per month.

Etihad Cargo currently offers four dedicated freighter services from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam and two weekly freighter flights to Frankfurt, which connect to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in the US.

Additionally, Etihad Cargo's customers benefit from cargo capacity across Etihad's extensive passenger network.