Flying into the future: Etihad Cargo’s innovations in air freight
Etihad Cargo is the air freight division of Etihad Aviation Group, offering fast and reliable cargo solutions worldwide. They provide services for general cargo, temperature-sensitive shipments, valuable goods, live animals, and even luxury cars. Their SkyStables service ensures safe transport for horses, while FreshForward specialises in shipping perishable goods.
Speaking exclusively to Global Supply Chain, Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways discusses various digital and international advancements that gives the carrier an edge over others.
“Etihad Cargo’s transformation is built on agility, innovation and a relentless focus on customer centricity. Our recent structural changes, announced in May, bringing cargo commercial and operations together, were implemented to drive customer excellence. This restructuring enables us to scale operations in line with market demand, while reinforcing our commitment to customer-centricity and operational excellence.
The investments we have made in various digital advancements, including Etihad Cargo’s SmartTrack as an industry-leading tracking solution, are not just operational milestones, but reflect a core principle in how we are shaping the future of air cargo around customer needs.
As we look to the next five years, we remain focused on smarter, strategic growth across our network. Etihad Cargo continues to invest in expanding both its footprint and capacity to support the evolving needs of global trade. This year alone, we have announced 17 new destinations, further extending our global reach. In Europe, for instance, we recently enhanced our summer schedule by introducing additional widebody capacity, offering 660 tonnes of weekly space, along with an extra 200 tonnes of freighter capacity each week.
During Air Cargo Europe in Munich in June 2025, we also announced strategic partnerships with SF Airlines offering more connectivity and capacity to our customers; these are partnerships that reinforce our commitment to strengthening connectivity within the cargo world. Looking ahead, we are looking forward to growing our fleet further and to the10 new Airbus A350 freighters starting in 2028, expanding our fleet from 5 to 15 dedicated cargo aircraft by the end of the decade.
As the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, Etihad Cargo proudly represents Abu Dhabi on the global cargo stage. We see our role vital in advancing the emirate’s vision to become a leading logistics and trade hub, bridging the East and the West through innovation, strategic connectivity and world-class service.”
Etihad Cargo launches SmartTrack, the industry’s first real-time smart shipment tracking solution
The cargo carrier recently launched SmartTrack, a game-changing premium service that gives customers real-time access to shipment location and condition data, raising the bar for transparency in global air freight. Unveiled at Air Cargo Europe 2025 in Munich, SmartTrack positions Etihad Cargo as the first carrier globally to implement this type of advanced smart tracking solution.
Developed in partnership with Tag-N-Trac, SmartTrack leverages cutting-edge smart label technology to deliver comprehensive end-to-end shipment monitoring. The label is equipped with cellular, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, capturing real-time data on exact location, temperature and humidity, shock, tilt and light exposure. This makes SmartTrack the ideal solution for mission-critical and condition-sensitive cargo, including pharmaceuticals, electronics and high-value goods.
SmartTrack is designed with a focus on both efficiency and sustainability. The smart label, which can remain active for up to 30 days, features minimal packaging and eliminates the need for return logistics.
SmartTrack will be fully integrated into Etihad Cargo’s digital platform and mobile app and aims to provide customers with a tailored, intuitive interface featuring live maps, milestone updates and access to full sensor data. This digital experience is supported by Etihad Cargo’s centralised control tower, which delivers 24/7 operational oversight and proactive performance monitoring, ensuring transparency and service excellence at every stage of the journey.
“This launch represents a transformation in how we deliver even more peace of mind to our customers,” said Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways. “By combining simplicity, intelligence and automation, we are reinforcing our commitment to smarter, more transparent logistics.”
“When Etihad Airways’ cargo team asked us if we could deliver an air cargo visibility digital solution in three months, we were up for the challenge. We knew we were setting a new standard in cargo visibility with our smart label-based RELATIVITY platform, empowering Etihad with the information they need, when they need it, across the globe,” said Venu Gutlapalli, CEO of Tag-N-Trac.
Following extensive field testing across major global trade lanes, the SmartTrack label has demonstrated consistent, high-accuracy performance across both air and ground transport.
SmartTrack will be available to customers via the Etihad Cargo website and mobile app from October 2025, as part of the airline’s broader digital transformation strategy focused on innovation, operational excellence and exceeding evolving customer expectations.
Etihad Cargo signs strategic agreement with Ezhou Huahu Airport to strengthen access throughout Asia-Pacific
● Partnership to establish Ezhou Huahu Airport as one of Etihad Cargo’s core hubs in China
● The agreement will boost connectivity across China, the Middle East, Europe and Africa
Etihad Cargo recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Ezhou Huahu Airport during Air Cargo Europe 2025, reinforcing the carrier’s commitment to expanding access across Asia-Pacific and unlocking greater trade potential between China and global markets.
The agreement was signed by Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, Mr Luo Guowei, Party Committee Member and Deputy General Manager of Hubei Airport Group Company and Chairman of Hubei International Logistics Airport Company, and Mr Li Wei, Deputy General Manager of Hubei International Logistics Airport Company. The signing took place at the Etihad Cargo stand and marks the start of a long-term collaboration between the two organisations.
As part of the agreement, Etihad Cargo will strengthen its strategic presence at Ezhou Huahu Airport, which will serve as a key gateway within its broader China network. This complements the carrier’s ongoing operations in Shanghai (PVG) and Shenzhen (SZX), ensuring nationwide access and greater flexibility for customers.
“Ezhou Huahu Airport is already recognised across China for its outstanding capabilities and world-class logistics infrastructure,” said Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways.
“This partnership will amplify Ezhou Huahu Airport’s strengths across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It represents an exciting opportunity to accelerate the development of more connected, efficient logistics solutions and those not yet engaging with this corridor risk being left behind.”
The partnership will focus on increasing flight frequencies, opening new routes and building joint solutions for cross-border e-commerce, cold chain logistics and high-value manufacturing. The integration of Ezhou’s hub warehouse with Etihad Cargo’s global network will create a seamless two-way trade channel, strengthening market access for Chinese exports while enhancing inbound logistics flows.
Etihad Cargo currently operates four Boeing 777 freighters per week to Ezhou Huahu Airport. The airport, which opened in 2022, is Asia’s first dedicated cargo airport and includes 135 aircraft stands, dual 3,600-metre runways and the capacity to handle 3.3 million tonnes of cargo annually. Located in Hubei Province, it offers unrivalled domestic reach and growing international connectivity.
Mr Luo Guowei, Party Committee Member and Deputy General Manager of Hubei Airport Group Company and Chairman of the Board of Hubei International Logistics AirportCompany, said: “This partnership is an important step in the airport’s global growth. Etihad Cargo’s strategic network and hub in Abu Dhabi offer new pathways for China’s exporters and we look forward to building stronger links across continents. We are also exploring opportunities to collaborate further with stakeholders in Abu Dhabi and identify areas for long-term, mutual benefit.”
Etihad airways and SF Airlines sign cargo joint business agreement to expand global air freight network
• The joint business will provide Etihad Airways and SF Airlines customers with greater access to new destinations and expanded service offerings, strengthening trade and logistics links between the Middle East, China and beyond.
Etihad Airways and SF Airlines, China’s leading air cargo carrier, recently signed a Joint Business Agreement (JBA) to enhance their cargo operations, expand network capacity and offer customers greater flexibility and service options. The agreement was signed today by Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways and Li Sheng, Vice President of SF Group and Chairman of SF Airlines.
Through the agreement, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will collaborate on a metal-neutral basis to jointly market and integrate their airfreight services. The partnership is designed to foster incremental growth and create a seamless, shared network that offers customers an expanded range of destinations, increased cargo capacity and enhanced service efficiency.
As part of the JBA, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will enhance customer choice by expanding network connectivity and capacity across key trade lanes. Both carriers will also invest in improving service quality and operational efficiency, ensuring a consistently elevated customer experience.
The partnership enables coordinated pricing strategies and alignment of service standards, delivering a streamlined and competitive offering. Additionally, the collaboration will support the strategic allocation of routes, sales efforts and client portfolios, allowing for joint decision-making and driving operational synergies.
With the growth of cross-border e-commerce, time-sensitive shipments and specialised logistics services, the partnership between Etihad Airways and SF Airlines will offer greater flexibility and tailored solutions to meet evolving customer needs. The joint business will focus on key cargo product verticals, including Etihad Cargo’s SecureTech and PharmaLife solutions, which support the movement of high-value electronics, sensitive equipment and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical goods.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “This business agreement marks an important step in Etihad’s strategy to strengthen global connectivity and deliver greater value to our customers. By working closely with SF Airlines, we are expanding our service offerings, optimising operational efficiency and enhancing our competitive position in the air cargo industry.”
Li Sheng, Vice President of SF Group and Chairman of SF Airlines, added: “This agreement represents a significant milestone for SF Airlines as we continue to build our international network. Partnering with Etihad Airways enables us to increase capacity and gain greatermarket access, offering customers enhanced services. Together, we will drive innovation and efficiency to meet the growing demand for high-quality logistics solutions.”
This strategic collaboration is expected to generate significant business efficiencies, support revenue growth and enhance customer satisfaction. By combining their strengths, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines are better positioned to offer world-class air cargo solutions that respond to the evolving demands of the global logistics industry.
