Etihad Takes Delivery of First A330-200F

[HD video below] Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first A330-200 freighter aircraft. The freighter will boost the airline’s expanding fleet of cargo aircraft and arrives at a time when cargo volumes are at their highest for Etihad.

Etihad Crystal Cargo, the launch customer for the freighter, carried a record tonnage in July 2010 of more than 23,000 tonnes. More than 30,000 shipments were carried during the month, driven by increased volumes from Pakistan, Australia, China and Bangladesh. The United Arab Emirates was the top cargo destination.

In the year to date, Etihad Crystal Cargo has experienced a 21% growth in tonnage and a 30% growth in yield. Overall cargo revenue has grown by 57% since this time last year.

“The arrival of our new A330-200 freighter marks a new era in Etihad’s cargo services and will support Etihad’s goal to expand that side of the business further,” said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer. “The aircraft will bring us more payloads, at a reduced operating cost, and will offer us better connectivity in our flight network, with greater transfer flows.”

The A330-200 freighter aircraft can carry up to 64 metric tonnes of cargo and can fly up to 7,400 kilometres non-stop. It will allow Etihad Crystal Cargo to increase frequencies and build its presence in the high-growth European and Asian freight markets.

Etihad Crystal Cargo will take delivery of a second A330-200 freighter in October 2010 and the two A330-200s will join the two leased MD- 11 freighters and two leased A300 leased freighters.

A330-200F @ Singapore Airshow 2010

The above aircraft was the first A330-200F in the flight test campaign - MSN1004 - which took to the skies in November 2009 and is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines.

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