Etihad Launches Freighter Operations To Uganda’s Entebbe

Etihad Cargo, the freight business of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, has announced the launch of a new weekly flight to the Ugandan city of Entebbe, starting from May 26, 2014.

The direct cargo service will operate every Monday using an Airbus A330-200F freighter, with a capacity of 64 metric tonnes, Etihad said in a statement.

The service is expected to carry large quantities of electronics and textiles to Entebbe, with the return flight primarily loaded with perishable goods for the Gulf region and Europe.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ chief Strategy and Planning officer, said: “Uganda is an important market for Etihad Cargo, and the new Abu Dhabi-Entebbe freighter service will allow us to capitalise on the strong import and export demand to and from East Africa.

“In addition, whilst we expect to see strong onward trade flows over our Abu Dhabi cargo hub to destinations across the Middle East, subcontinent and Europe, ultimately this service will further strengthen the trade ties between the UAE and Uganda.”

Etihad Cargo, which offers services to 103 destinations internationally, recently announced that it carried 127,821 tonnes of freight and mail in the first quarter of this year, up 26 per cent from the previous year. Revenues during the period reached $243 million.

The cargo operator currently has a fleet of nine freighters, consisting of three Airbus A330-200F, three Boeing B777F, and three Boeing 747F. It will take delivery of one new freighter, an Airbus A330-200F, next month.