Etihad gets its first A330-200 cargo plane

Etihad Airways finally got there Airbus A330-200 cargo jets.

ABU DHABI: UAE's Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first A330-200 cargo aircraft, it was announced on Wednesday.

The freighter touched down in Abu Dhabi on Monday, completing its maiden flight from Toulouse in France. It will boost the airline's expanding fleet of cargo aircraft.

Etihad Crystal Cargo carried a record tonnage of over 23,000 tonnes in July.

Over 30,000 shipments were conducted during the month, driven by increased volumes from Pakistan, Australia, China and Bangladesh. The UAE was the top cargo destination.

Etihad registered a 21 per cent and 30 per cent growth in tonnage and yield respectively so far this year. Overall cargo revenue has grown by 57 per cent, compared to the corresponding period last year.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive officer, said: "The arrival of our new A330-200 freighter marks a new era in Etihad's cargo services.

"The aircraft will bring us more payloads, at reduced operating cost, and will offer us better connectivity in our flight network, with greater transfer flows," he added.