Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide, has entered into a long-term partnership with Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, aimed at enhancing freight capacity and supporting Etihad’s ambitious global expansion plans.
Under the new arrangement, Atlas Air will operate a newly delivered Boeing 777 freighter exclusively for Etihad Cargo. Beginning in August, the aircraft will connect Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Madrid, strengthening Etihad’s service offering across key cargo trade routes.
The collaboration arrives amid surging demand for cross-border cargo across sectors including e-commerce, automotive, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and general goods, particularly within Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
With its advanced design, fuel efficiency, and high payload capacity, the Boeing 777F provides the operational flexibility Etihad Cargo needs to expand its customer solutions and international footprint. The partnership also marks a renewed phase in a relationship that began in 2012, when Atlas Air first supported Etihad with long-term flight operations.
Michael Steen, CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide, stated:
“We are pleased to again partner with Etihad Cargo, one of the industry’s most respected carriers. This partnership reflects our strong value proposition and the trust we’ve built with customers over time. We are pleased to tailor this long-term dedicated capacity solution to help Etihad capture growth opportunities. With our global scale and flexible, agile network, Atlas Air is enabling Etihad to expand their operations and serve their customers with confidence. With our industry-leading fleet of widebody freighters and deep operating expertise, Atlas Air is proud to be a trusted partner of choice, and we look forward to supporting Etihad’s continued success.”
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, said:
“Etihad Cargo’s expanded collaboration with Atlas Air represents a strategic step in scaling capacity and extending our global reach. With Etihad Airways’ passenger fleet continuing to grow, it is essential that our freighter fleet expands in parallel to sustain this momentum and deliver end-to-end network connectivity. By aligning growth across both passenger and freighter operations, Etihad Cargo reinforces its ability to meet evolving customer demand, strengthen high-volume trade lanes and introduce greater flexibility across key markets. This additional capacity further enhances the reliability and agility of our services, ensuring the delivery of seamless and efficient cargo solutions worldwide.”
The 777F is the world’s largest twin-engine freighter, capable of transporting over 100 tonnes of cargo. Its efficiency and performance enable Etihad Cargo to strengthen its position as a provider of reliable, sustainable, and high-quality freight services across global markets.
