Etihad Crystal Cargo keeps performance levels high

In May 2006, Etihad's cargo division lifted more than 11,000 shipments, and achieved more than US$16 million in sales, continuing the steep growth path from previous months.

Compared to the performance of May 2005 - 5,000 shipments and turnover of US$6.9 - the results in May 2006 are twice as much as last year.

"To double performance levels within a year is an incredible achievement, and this growth is expected to continue further. The target for 2006 is to double the overall performance - from US$98.5m turnover in 2005 - to more than US$200m in 2006,"

says Ingo Roessler, Vice President Cargo, Etihad Airways.

One of the key contributing factors to the record performance is the unprecedented speed of Etihad Airways flight network expansion. Since the beginning of 2006, 11 destinations - Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Jakarta, Manila, Manchester, Muscat, Paris, Dhaka, Jeddah and Casablanca - have been added to the Abu Dhabi-based airline's network.

In the coming weeks, Etihad Airways will start services to Doha (three times a week starting from June 18 2006), Kuwait (six times a week from 1 July 2006), Khartoum (three times a week starting from 5 July 2006).

In addition, Etihad Airways has added a number of brand new aircraft to its fleet, including the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330-200, further boosting capabilities of Etihad Crystal Cargo.

Etihad Airways is also preparing for the delivery of its first Airbus 340-500, with a 3 class configuration as well as the delivery of the fifth Airbus 330-200 (2-Zone).