Etihad wins cargo operator of the year award

Hosted by magazine publisher, ITP Business, the awards were held at the Al Murooj Rotana, in Dubai and recognise the Middle East logistics industry's achievements during the past year.

Des Vertannes, Etihad Airways' executive vice president cargo, said: "Etihad Crystal Cargo has achieved tremendous growth during the past year with a 35 per cent increase in the tonnage carried as well as adding new freighter routes to Lagos, Colombo and Karachi.

"We are extremely proud, therefore, to have been presented with the award for "cargo operator of the year" and wish to thank our customers for their support and our staff for their hard work and dedication as we look to build on this in the year ahead."

Recently Etihad Crystal Cargo was given the privileged role of shipping more than 180 Pablo Picasso masterpieces from Paris to Abu Dhabi ahead of the opening of the world renowned artist's exhibition in the UAE's capital city.

The priceless collection has been flown over in several shipments from the Musée National Picasso in the French capital and will be exhibited until 4 September at Gallery One in the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi.