Etihad Cargo has enhanced its freighter network with the addition of a weekly service to Guangzhou in response to increased demand for cargo capacity for China.

The new route brings the carrier’s total number of freighter services to mainland China to 10 per week.

Leonard Rodrigues, head of revenue management, fleet and network at Etihad Cargo, said: “With the introduction of a new freighter service between our Abu Dhabi hub and Guangzhou, combined with increased frequencies across China via Etihad Cargo’s freighter services and the airline’s passenger flights, customers and partners benefit from increased cargo capacity.

“Expanding the carrier’s reach into the Chinese market not only meets the increased demand for cargo capacity in this region but will also further strengthen ties between the UAE and China, providing more opportunities for increased collaboration between the two countries.”

A spokesperson for Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport said: “The introduction of this all-cargo scheduled flight route will further enhance trade and logistics development between Guangzhou and Abu Dhabi International Airport, while strengthening connectivity between the Middle East, China, and other Belt and Road Initiative economies. We eagerly anticipate a brighter future as we continue to work closely with Etihad Airways.”

The new route follows other recent announcements from Etihad Cargo including launching a weekly freighter service to the Hubei Province of China, the inaugural flight to Ezhou Huahu Airport, and eight weekly freighter flights to Shanghai.

Etihad Cargo also offers additional belly capacity for China via 10 passenger flights per week to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Via the carrier’s growing road feeder services network in China, Etihad Cargo says it also offers customers and partners access to 25 domestic mainland Chinese destinations, providing seamless connectivity across the Chinese market.