Etihad Crystal Cargo takes delivery of its first Boeing 777 Freighter

Etihad Crystal Cargo today announced that it has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777 Freighter. Etihad Crystal Cargo is the fast growing cargo division of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

The freighter is Etihad’s first Boeing freighter and joins the airline’s existing Boeing 777 fleet, which includes seven 777-300ERs. The 777 Freighter is the world's longest-range, twin-engine freighter and features the lowest trip cost of any large freighter.

We are excited about this latest addition to our dedicated Crystal Cargo freighter fleet and we expect the 777 Freighter to deliver exceptional value to us and to our customers,” said Kevin Knight, Etihad Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, who also leads the Crystal Cargo division.

“With its proven track record, long-range capabilities and excellent operating efficiencies, the 777 Freighter will allow us to economically deliver cargo further than ever before. Our decision to invest in the 777 Freighter helps ensure that we are well positioned to serve our customers’ long-term needs.”

The 777 Freighter is based on the technologically advanced 777-200LR (Longer Range) passenger airplane and can fly 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometres) with a full payload of 225,200 pounds (102 metric tons). With high-cargo density and 10-foot (3.1-meter) interior height capability, the 777 Freighter provides a cargo capacity normally associated with larger airplanes.

“The 777 Freighter has consistently delivered the highest levels of reliability and efficiency since it entered service in 2009, making it the long-range freighter of choice for a number of airlines and cargo operators around the world,” said Marty Bentrott, senior vice president for Sales, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We are confident that the 777 Freighter’s high capacity and range, combined with the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, will add a tremendous amount of value to Etihad’s air cargo operations.”

With its updated fleet of one Boeing 777 Freighter, two Airbus A330-200F, two Airbus A300-600F aircraft and two McDonnell Douglas MD11s, Etihad Crystal Cargo operates to 27 cargo freighter destinations in the Middle East and Africa and 76 destinations across the globe.

Image: Royal S King.

Source:  Al Bawaba.com (23/06/2011).