Etihad Cargo the latest to boost China capacity

Etihad Cargo is the latest to add extra capacity to the China market with additional freighter and passenger flights to Shanghai.

The new Abu Dhabi-Shanghai B777 freighter flight begins on February 2 and will operate on a weekly basis.

The flight means the carrier will offer a total of eight dedicated freighter flights between the two locations.

An additional passenger flight to Shanghai will launch in the same week and bring the airline’s total passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and China to five per week.

The new flights will increase the total cargo capacity out of Shanghai to 850 tons per week.

Martin Drew, senior vice president of global sales and cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Following the introduction of two more weekly freighter services between Shanghai and Abu Dhabi in 2022, this additional freighter service between Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub and Shanghai will further enable Etihad Cargo to fully meet customers’ capacity needs.”

The move comes as China opens up to visitors following the easing of its Covid policy.

However, cargo demand out of the country has been weakening over the last six months and the air cargo sector is not expecting the usual Chinese New Year peak in demand.

Other airlines have also been adding belly capacity to the market in response to the loosening of restrictions.

Last week, Ethiopian Airlines became the latest carrier to add bellyhold capacity to the China market following the easing of Covid restrictions.

Cathay Pacific, Hainan and Air China have also announced increases in flights.