Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Aviation Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nairobi-based Astral Aviation to expand the partnership between the two parties and enhance the cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi.
This will see the two companies share up to 50% of all available capacity on new Nairobi-Abu Dhabi-Nairobi flights, further growing Etihad Cargo’s reach into the African market.
This latest agreement builds on the expanding partnership between Etihad Cargo and Astral Aviation, with the latter operating more flights to the UAE’s capital and supported by Etihad Cargo. Through the MoU, Etihad Cargo’s customers will benefit from additional cargo capacity out of Nairobi, which will further enhance the carrier’s capabilities in the African market.
Etihad Cargo signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Astral Aviation in 2021 to provide reliable and cost-effective air freight solutions for the transport of pharmaceuticals across the continent, ensuring full compliance with IATA Pharma and GDP regulations and standards.
The MoU is a continuation of the carrier’s commitment to partnerships that expand its global network and increase the cargo capacity available to its customers in the African market.
The agreement will see Etihad Cargo utilise its expansive road feeder service network to transport cargo from Nairobi to destinations throughout the UAE and other offline stations. The carrier’s global network will offer connectivity to destinations around the world, with the partnership providing a comprehensive solution to international cargo transportation between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi.
Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, said, “We look forward to transporting perishables from Kenya into Abu Dhabi and beyond on Etihad’s network, and on the return with cargoes from Asia, USA, and Europe to connect into Astral’s Intra African network in Nairobi. This cooperation will create new opportunities for our respective clients and will be a win-win partnership.”
This news comes amid Kenya Airways’ recent cargo codeshare with Astral Aviation, further cementing the latter’s position as a key player in the African aviation industry. With these partnerships, the African market is set to see increased cargo capacity, strengthened connections between cities, and enhanced accessibility and connectivity.
