Etihad Cargo, the freight division of U.A.E. flag carrier, Etihad Airways, has started freighter flights between Abu Dhabi and Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN).
The dedicated cargo service will operate every Thursday and Sunday using an Airbus A330-200F freighter, with a capacity of 60 metric tonnes.
Flights en route to Hanoi will stop briefly in Mumbai, while the return service is direct to Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Cargo expects the new service to carry raw materials, consumer goods and perishables to Hanoi, with large quantities of electronics and textiles destined for the Gulf region, Europe and Africa loaded for the return flight.
Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said, “Vietnam is an important market for Etihad Cargo and our new twice weekly Hanoi freighter service will build on our existing daily belly-hold operations to Ho Chi Minh City further south.
“The service will allow us to capitalise on the strong import and export demand to and from Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia, while providing our growing customer base with more choice for transporting goods around the world.
“In addition, while we expect to see strong onward trade flows over our Abu Dhabi cargo hub to destinations across the Middle East and Europe, ultimately this service will further strengthen the trade ties between the U.A.E. and Vietnam.” Etihad Cargo offers services to 108 destinations internationally, operating a fleet of ten freighters, consisting of four Airbus A330-200F, three Boeing B777F, and three Boeing 747F.
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
