First A330-200 freighter delivered to Etihad

Etihad Airways’ first A330-200 freighter on the runway in Toulouse before departing for Abu Dhabi. Photo: Courtesy, Etihad.

Etihad Airways last week launched the first A330-200 freighter, flying it from Toulouse to its Abu Dhabi base after taking delivery from Airbus.

The A330-200F, for which Etihad is the launch customer, received EASA Type Certification in April (ATW Daily News, April 12). Certification was achieved for a payload capability of 70 tonnes, 1 tonne more than originally expected. Etihad said its A330-200F can carry up to 64 tonnes and fly up to 4,598 mi. nonstop.

The carrier said its Crystal Cargo unit carried a record 23,000 tonnes in July. More than 30,000 shipments were carried during the month, "driven by increased volumes from Pakistan, Australia, China and Bangladesh," the company said. For the year to date, it has recorded 21% growth in tonnage and 30% growth in yield.

Etihad is slated to take delivery of a second A330-200F in October. Prior to taking delivery of the A330-200F, the airline's freighter fleet comprised two leased MD-11Fs and two leased A300Fs.

CEO James Hogan said, “The arrival of our new A330-200 freighter marks a new era in Etihad’s cargo services and will support Etihad’s goal to expand that side of the business further. The aircraft will bring us more payloads at a reduced operating cost, and will offer us better connectivity in our flight network, with greater transfer flows.”