Etihad Cargo has appointed AVIAREPS as its cargo general sales agent (GSA) in Uzbekistan, expanding the carrier’s commercial presence in Central Asia following the launch of direct Etihad Airways services between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent.
The appointment is effective immediately and will see AVIAREPS manage cargo sales, customer service, reservations and local market development for Etihad Cargo in Uzbekistan. The agreement is intended to support the development of cargo flows between Uzbekistan, the UAE and destinations across Etihad Cargo’s wider international network.
Under the agreement, AVIAREPS will market and sell Etihad Cargo’s air freight services to freight forwarders, cargo agents and other customers in the Uzbek market.
Its responsibilities will include cargo reservations and booking administration, customer and post-sales support, sales visits, quotations and tender assistance, distribution of approved schedules, tariffs and promotional material, sales reporting and market intelligence.
AVIAREPS will also act as a local contact for Etihad Cargo customers and agents, coordinate with ground handling partners when required and provide support with shipment administration. The company will also assist with the introduction of electronic air waybill (e-AWB) processes in Uzbekistan.
The appointment strengthens an existing relationship between the two companies. AVIAREPS already represents Etihad Cargo as a GSA in two countries and provides passenger GSA services for Etihad Airways in 18 markets across Asia and Europe. Its passenger representation network includes Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Romania, alongside existing operations in the Baltic and Nordic markets and the Philippines.
Frederick Overton, global head of cargo at AVIAREPS, said the new appointment would build on the company’s existing relationship with Etihad and its knowledge of the Uzbek market.
“The launch of Abu Dhabi-Tashkent flights creates strong potential for cargo development between Uzbekistan, the UAE and Etihad Cargo’s wider global network,” Overton said.
He added that AVIAREPS’ local market expertise and relationships with freight forwarders and cargo agents would support Etihad Cargo’s commercial development and customer engagement in Uzbekistan.
Grant Kemp, regional general manager at Etihad, said Uzbekistan represented an important addition to the airline’s expanding network.
The appointment of AVIAREPS as cargo GSA will support Etihad’s commercial development and cargo service offering in the market, he said, adding that the company’s local presence and cargo sales experience made it a suitable partner for the carrier’s expansion.
The new GSA arrangement comes as Central Asia gains greater importance as a trade and logistics market, with Uzbekistan seeking to strengthen its international connectivity and develop links with major global commercial centres.
For Etihad Cargo, the Abu Dhabi–Tashkent connection provides access to the Uzbek market through its Abu Dhabi hub, while the appointment of a dedicated local GSA gives the carrier a sales and customer-service platform to develop cargo volumes in the market.
AVIAREPS’ wider cargo services include sales, reservations, customer service, truck and flight planning, revenue accounting and total cargo management. The company says its cargo business combines local market expertise with a global network to support airline cargo sales and revenue growth.
The Uzbekistan appointment adds another market to AVIAREPS’ expanding cargo representation portfolio and gives Etihad Cargo additional local commercial support as it develops its Central Asian network.
