The inaugural flight on Thursday 21 March was timed to accommodate the increased demand for flowers, showing potential for the partnership to increase capacity and offer efficient logistics solutions, particularly for time-sensitive shipments such as perishables.
The Memorandum of Understanding will involve Astral Aviation operating more flights to Abu Dhabi with the two carriers committed to using the networks, expertise and logistics capabilities to enhance cargo services between the UAE and Africa.
Following the inaugural flight, Astral Aviation will resume weekly flights from Abu Dhabi on Thursday 28 March.
Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo of Etihad Cargo, says, “The successful inaugural flight from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi is just the beginning of Etihad Cargo's ambitious journey with Astral Aviation. Together, Etihad Cargo and Astral Aviation will offer air cargo solutions that cater to the dynamic needs of partners and customers, especially in the fast-growing African market.”
Wilson Chan, Senior Vice President – Freezone Cargo & Logistics of Abu Dhabi Airports, says, “From state-of-the-art cooling facilities capable of safely transporting temperature-controlled goods and pharmaceuticals, to a significant increase in operational capacity, Zayed International Airport is helping to foster greater trade between Abu Dhabi and the world. This inaugural flight, and the commencement of weekly flights to Nairobi, is further evidence of the important commercial and business ties Abu Dhabi Airports, and our partners Etihad Airways and Astral Aviation, are helping to facilitate.”
Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, adds, “The partnership between Etihad Cargo and Astral Aviation marks a significant milestone in trade between Africa and Abu Dhabi, as the new flight will enable the efficient transportation of perishables including flowers, fresh fruits, vegetables and meat from Astral's hubs in Nairobi and Johannesburg into Etihad's Abu Dhabi hub and onto their network. On the return, the freighter will carry cargo from Etihad Cargo's network in Asia, the USA, and Europe into Astral's Intra African network, which will result in new opportunities for our respective clients.”
Etihad Cargo will also add capacity in Nairobi with daily passenger services from Wednesday 1 May, adding to weekly freighter services connecting Nairobi and Amsterdam via Abu Dhabi.