Etihad Crystal Cargo receives awards for cargo operations in Indian Sub-continent and Europe

The most recent achievement for Crystal Cargo was at the prestigious Cargo Airline of the Year Awards, where it was voted "Best Airline to the Indian Sub-Continent," heading off the entries of a number of global competitors.

"The award is a great success for Etihad Airways, and the achievements of our first two years of operation are second-to-none. The Indian subcontinent is also one of the most important markets for Etihad Crystal Cargo, with more than 30 percent of our overall production," said Ingo Roessler, Vice President Cargo, Etihad Airways.

Etihad Crystal Cargo was also nominated for the categories of "Best Airline to the Middle East" and overall "Best Cargo Airline of the Year". The Cargo Airline of the Year Awards are considered among the leading awards in the cargo industry.

In an "Aircargo Excellence survey," conducted by a renowned German institute on behalf of Logistik Inside, a leading German cargo magazine, Etihad Crystal Cargo achieved the first place in the "value" category and ninth place in the overall performance out of 55 airlines.

Germany is the second most important market for Etihad Crystal Cargo with Frankfurt having been the maiden flight of Etihad's regional freighter fleet and the first all-cargo destination on the freighter network. Currently, Etihad Airways serves Germany 15 times a week - 12 Guest services to Frankfurt and Munich and additional three freighter services to Frankfurt.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is also making progress in the USA, and recently received an "Excellence Award 2006" certificate Air Cargo World (USA) one of the leading air cargo magazines.

"Etihad Crystal Cargo is growing a very impressive world-wide network, and it is very satisfying to receive recognition of this work. The Indian sub-continent and Europe are lucrative markets, and this is a result of strong team work and efficiency between Etihad and our designated GSSAs,"

continued Roessler.

In its first full year of operation, 2004, Etihad Crystal Cargo lifted 20,000 tonnes of cargo. In 2005 the Abu Dhabi based carrier was able to raise the volume by more than 400 percent to more than 70,000 tonnes. The total turnover in 2005 amounted US$ 100m. The target for 2006 is in excess of US$ 200m.

"The number of awards recently received by Etihad Crystal Cargo very much underlines the success we have enjoyed in our first two years of operation. We intend to build on this, and look forward to receiving recognition more awards in the future," concluded Roessler.