Etihad Cargo strengthens global role with 9% growth in H1 2025

Etihad Cargo, the logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has recorded a 9% year-on-year rise in cargo revenue in the first half of 2025, supported by growth in capacity and yield. The airline reported strong performance across all regions, with the UAE and Central Region leading the gains.

According to Etihad Cargo, the results underline its agility and resilience in a challenging global market. Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, said the carrier’s focus on premium products, agile network planning and close partnerships with customers has ensured sustainable performance.

The airline highlighted that its flexible e-commerce strategy has empowered small and medium-sized enterprises and local businesses, boosting Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for logistics and digital trade.

To meet rising demand, Etihad Cargo has expanded its fleet with a new Boeing 777 freighter from Atlas Air, strengthening capacity and flexibility. The carrier has also deepened its partnership with China’s SF Airlines through a metal-neutral Joint Business Agreement. This includes a new weekly Shenzhen–Abu Dhabi service and additional frequencies on the Abu Dhabi–Ezhou route, raising joint weekly capacity to around 630 tonnes.

The carrier further improved service reliability through the deployment of SmartTrack, achieving an 89.6% year-on-year improvement in its Delivered As Promised rate.

Etihad Cargo also expanded its global network capacity by 8% year-on-year, adding new routes and redeploying freighters to high-demand markets. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport remained central to this growth, strengthening the UAE’s position as a key global gateway for express cargo and e-commerce flows.