Etihad Cargo has started a freighter service to Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.

“We are pleased to add the Republic of Congo to our growing network of cargo destinations,” said Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer at Etihad Airways. “Our new freighter service will allow us to capitalise on trade between the Republic and the UAE, and better connect Africa with markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.”

The flight is operated twice every week with a Boeing 777 Freighter and departs to Brazzaville via Lagos. The return flight is routed through Nairobi and Amsterdam.

The 777F, which has a capacity of 100 tonnes, is expected to carry tools, machinery, general cargo, electronics and project equipment, according to Etihad.

The cargo division of Etihad Airways has a freighter fleet consisting of four Airbus A330-200Fs, two Boeing 747-400Fs, one Boeing 747-8F and three Boeing 777Fs. Brazzaville adds to the airline’s freighter-only destinations of Bogotá, Chittagong, Djibouti, Dubai World Central, Eldoret, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Houston, Kabul and Sharjah.