Etihad Cargo, the fast-growing freight business of United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Etihad Airways, will inaugurate a new weekly freighter flight between Abu Dhabi and the Ugandan city of Entebbe on May 26, 2014. Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria and close to the capital Kampala, Entebbe is a major commercial centre in central Uganda and was the location of last year’s Routes Africa forum, jointly hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Uganda and Entebbe International Airport.
The new direct cargo service will operate every Monday using an Airbus A330-200F freighter, with a capacity of 64 metric tonnes. Etihad Cargo expects the service to carry large quantities of electronics and textiles to Entebbe, with primarily perishable goods destined for the Gulf region and Europe loaded for the return flight.
“Uganda is an important market for Etihad Cargo, and the new Abu Dhabi-Entebbe freighter service will allow us to capitalise on the strong import and export demand to and from East Africa,” said Kevin Knight, chief strategy and planning officer, Etihad Airways.
“In addition, whilst we expect to see strong onward trade flows over our Abu Dhabi cargo hub to destinations across the Middle East, subcontinent and Europe, ultimately this service will further strengthen the trade ties between the UAE and Uganda,” he added.
Etihad Cargo offers services to 103 destinations internationally, operating a fleet of nine freighters, consisting of three Airbus A330-200Fs, three Boeing B777Fs and three Boeing 747Fs. In June 2014, the cargo operator will take delivery of one new freighter – an Airbus A330-200F.
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