The Abu Dhabi-based carrier decided to activate a purchase option signed in 2022, for three additional A350 freighters. This brings the total number of this aircraft variant ordered by EY to ten units. Management cited the increasing transport demand for e-commerce shipments from the Far East as the key reason for the move.
According to Airbus, Etihad will receive its first A350F in 2026/27 as the freighter is still being tested. Deliveries will run until the beginning of the next decade. Until then the carrier’s freighter fleet will consist of 15 all-cargo aircraft, CEO Stanislas Brun told U.S. agency Freight Waves. This he confirmed to media at TIACA’s Miami-held cargo trade show.
At the 2021-run Dubai Air Show, U.S. lessor, Air Lease Corporation, became the launch customer with an order for seven A350F to be delivered around 2026.
As things stand, Etihad won’t be the first commercial operator of the twin-engine airliner. It will be Singapore Airlines, instead, which purchased seven freighter aircraft at the 2022 Singapore Airshow, with deliveries planned to start in 2026.
Commonality drops costs
The 71 m-long cargo variant is capable of flying 8,700 km nonstop when fully loaded with 109 tons. That is an extra payload of 5 tons compared to the B777F. Etihad’s A350F fleet will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, which reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared to its direct competitor, the Boeing 777F, claims Airbus. Commonality with other Airbus variants is another savings factor, substantially cutting training times for pilots flying sister aircraft models. Etihad operates a mixed fleet consisting of Boeing and Airbus variants. In addition, Airbus’ management also mentions lower landing and navigation charges, better aircraft availability, and optimized engine transportation. All these contribute towards lower costs compared to Boeing’s B777F.
The expansion of the freighter fleet is part of Etihad’s long-term strategy to secure the growth of its cargo business and improve operational efficiency. This development is supported by new technologies such as Airbus Skywise Health Monitoring, which provides real-time data for maintenance, and the Flight Hour Service (FHS), which enables optimized fleet maintenance.
e-Commerce as main driver
Etihad Cargo and global express delivery service provider, SF Express, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand and tighten their collaboration by creating a logistics joint venture. Initially, their deal had an 18-month term. Their enlarged pact provides for shared capacity offered by Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines jetliners, enabling enhanced connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Ezhou, China. In addition to this, increased demand led both airlines to increase the flight frequencies between their two main bases and to introduce a new freighter service linking Shenzhen and Abu Dhabi.
Interesting to mention is that the new venture agreed between both parties does not aim to operate as an airline, but plans to establish an identity and shape a product focused on the trade route linking China and Abu Dhabi.
