Etihad Becomes First Non-Chinese Carrier To Fly Cargo To Ezhou Hauhu Airport

Etihad Airways’ cargo arm has launched flights to Ezhou Huahu Airport (EHU), a cargo-focused airport in Hubei province where China’s SF Airlines has a hub, becoming the first carrier from outside China to operate freighter service to the airport.

The airport, which opened in 2022 and continues to be under development, has a 23,000 m² cargo terminal and a 700,000 m² cargo sorting center. EHU anticipates handling 2.45 million tons of cargo and mail by 2025.

Etihad Cargo, in partnership with SF Airlines, has started operating a 1X-weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and EHU, with the first flight arriving at EHU on Aug. 18. The carrier says it is using a 777-200 freighter on the route, and cargo can be transferred to SF Airlines’ network from EHU.

Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines have been ramping up cooperation since entering into a block-space agreement in April under which Etihad launched 2X-weekly freighter flights between AUH and China’s Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH), with cargo able to transfer via WUH to and from SF Airlines’ domestic services. 

“Ezhou Huahu Airport is the region’s first dedicated, professional cargo airport,” Leonard Rodrigues, head of revenue management, fleet and network at Etihad Cargo, says in a statement. “The commencement of a weekly freighter service between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou opens up new interline opportunities with Etihad Cargo’s partner SF Airlines and will enable [Etihad Cargo] to further expand its reach into the Chinese market, which is a key region to the airline and Etihad Cargo’s customers and partners.” 

SF Airlines Commercial Director Robert Zhang adds: “By being centrally located in China, the airport has the advantage of connecting to most of the tier-one cities in China within a two-hour flight. Ezhou Huahu Airport provides comprehensive services, including but not limited to a fast-handling sorting center, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and an international cargo terminal ... By growing with Ezhou Huahu Airport, we believe it will bring more opportunities and value to the cooperation between SF Airlines and Etihad Cargo.”

Etihad says flights to EHU are “the latest step in the carrier’s ongoing commitment to the Chinese market,” adding it “will continue to explore opportunities to add depth to its network and provide partners and customers with greater connectivity between China, the UAE and the rest of the world.”