Focus on Customer Centricity :
Etihad Cargo partners with Leading E-Booking Platform Cargo.One to Expand Global Distribution
● Innovation driver: Digital-first policy sees Etihad Cargo sell capacity on e-booking platform cargo.one, providing its customers additional choice
● Solidified market position: cargo.one to strengthen its market position as the top digital distribution channel
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has augmented its digitalisation strategy by signing a landmark distribution agreement with cargo.one, the multi-airline e-booking platform.
Finalised on the side lines of Cargo Connect, an industry forum co-located with Dubai Airshow, the agreement confirms Etihad Cargo as the latest international carrier to partner with cargo.one.
A key driver in its commitment to provide customers with a best-in-class booking experience, the cargo.one agreement empowers Etihad Cargo to offer an additional avenue for bookings on available cargo capacity to a wider pool of European customers.
Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, Etihad Aviation Group’s Managing Director of Cargo and Logistics Services said: “Etihad Cargo’s ambition to lead the industry into a new digital era has driven significant investment in our digitalisation programme across back of house and customer facing platforms in the last 12 months. This landmark partnership with cargo.one builds on the success we have achieved on our own online platform, etihadcargo.com, which now represents 38 per cent of our bookings.
“Our digital investment enabled us to rapidly build the required API connectivity to seamlessly link to the cargo.one platform. Through cargo.one we will offer global capacity to users on new routings and to new destinations across our extensive worldwide network, and provide our own customers with additional booking choice.”
Serving more than 300 freight forwarding companies across Europe, cargo.one has been growing its customer base at a rate of more than twenty per cent month-on-month. In adding Etihad Cargo’s global network to the platform, cargo.one forwarders will have access from Europe to new markets across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Asia, Africa, Australasia and US – including Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. Through the partnership cargo.one has heightened its attractiveness as the number one e-booking platform for freight forwarders, revealed Moritz Claussen, Managing Director of cargo.one.
“cargo.one is the number one choice for airlines to foster digitalisation and to put their customers first. Our fast-growing user base not only makes it attractive for airlines to join as a means of reaching new customers, but also helps them to serve their customers’ needs in the best possible way. With Etihad Cargo on board we strengthen our market position as the leading distribution channel for cargo airlines and further grow our offering for freight forwarders,” said Claussen.
Following a phased roll-out, Etihad’s capacities will become available on the cargo.one platform in all major European markets.
– A multi-phased infrastructure development strategy agreed – Plan includes a refurbished and dedicated pharmaceutical handling facility by end of Q3 2020 to be followed by a state-of-the-art new Etihad Cargo terminal
Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics services arm of the Etihad Aviation Group, have announced a major project to enhance Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) into a state-of-the-art global air cargo center of excellence.
Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Cargo will implement a multi-phased cargo infrastructure development strategy, starting with the imminent upgrade of Etihad’s existing air cargo terminal facilities on the Southside airport perimeters. The program will culminate with the inauguration of Etihad Cargo’s future home, a new state-of-the-art air cargo terminal in the East Midfield section of the airport, an area designated by Abu Dhabi Airports for future integrated cargo, logistics and integrator activities.
The plans revealed that the first phase, the upgrading of the Southside Etihad cargo facilities, will commence immediately and is due for completion in phases between fall 2019 and end of Q3 2020. The scope includes the enhancement of RFS loading docks with levelers, insulation and floor works for faster and more efficient loading with stricter temperature controls, increased storage space and additional build-up and breakdown zones to improve production workflow, and upgraded cool chain facilities for both its fresh and pharma handling and storage operations.
This phase will not only increase efficiency and productivity in the existing facilities to support air cargo growth at Abu Dhabi International Airport for the coming five years, but it will also enhance Etihad’s pharmaceutical logistics capability through a dedicated Southside Pharma Terminal, adding 3,500 sqm’s of space for temperature-controlled handling and storage across both 2-8 degrees Celsius and 15-25 degrees Celsius categories. This further complements Etihad Cargo’s recent success in the domain, having become the first airline in the Middle East to gain CEIV Pharma certification for both its airline and terminal operations in January.
Furthermore, with a focus on continued growth mid and long term, Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Cargo have agreed as a next step to designate a plot of land at the East Midfield site. The team will soon be inviting expressions of interest to bid for the design and construction of Etihad Cargo’s state-of-the-art, next generation facility that will mark the creation of one the world’s most advanced and automated air cargo terminals. The facility will be designed to handle incremental UAE import and export demand, boost Etihad’s growing cargo network flows as well as cater for the significant rise in E-commerce and express mail and cargo operations.
Bryan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, commented: “Geographically, Abu Dhabi is situated at the heart of the east to west trade routes. Additionally, the transport and logistics fabric of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is well planned and structured to create undeniable potential to grow the cargo traffic exponentially.”
“Today we are putting in place the right foundations and frameworks for our future cargo activity, which in a few years will re-shape this industry for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the future’s cargo hub for the region and the world.”
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Today’s announcement is a major milestone in the development of Etihad Cargo’s logistics strategy that will see our hub continue to grow as one of the world’s most important trade facilitators connecting East and West.
“The immediate investment in the Southside terminal will deliver a step change in the efficiency and capability of our existing facilities while the announcement of the development of a new facility reinforces Etihad’s commitment to develop Abu Dhabi as a world class hub for the logistics of the future.”
In addition, Abu Dhabi Airports is setting the groundworks for the first phase of a bonded, non-bonded and free zone area adjoining the airport designated as “Al Falah Free Zone”, which it will develop as a prime location for E-commerce fulfilment and Logistics warehousing. The goal is to transform the nation’s capital into a globally recognized, multi-modal cargo hub driving sustainable economic growth in the Emirate.
