Atlas Air and Etihad Cargo expand partnership

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide, has announced a new long-term partnership with Etihad Cargo, the freight and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. The deal will see Atlas Air operate a newly delivered Boeing 777 freighter on Etihad Cargo’s behalf, strengthening the carrier’s network at a time of rising global demand.

From August, the dedicated aircraft will begin services linking Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Madrid, three key hubs across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The routes have been chosen to address expanding demand for air cargo services, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, automotive goods and perishable products.

The Boeing 777F is capable of carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo. With strong fuel efficiency and proven reliability, the type underpins Etihad Cargo’s commitment to sustainable and efficient transport solutions across its expanding network.

The partnership is not new; Atlas Air and Etihad Cargo have a relationship stretching back to 2012, when Atlas first provided flight services for the Abu Dhabi-based carrier. The new agreement, however, deepens the collaboration and provides Etihad Cargo with long-term dedicated capacity to capture new growth opportunities.

Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, praised the renewal of ties, stating the partnership “reflects our strong value proposition and the trust we’ve built with customers over time.” He emphasised Atlas Air’s ability to deliver tailored capacity solutions thanks to its global scale and wide-body freighter fleet.

Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, described the agreement as a “strategic step in scaling capacity and extending our global reach.” He highlighted the importance of aligning the airline’s growing passenger fleet with parallel growth in freighter capacity to sustain momentum, strengthen trade lanes and ensure reliable service worldwide.