DHL and Etihad Cargo increase connectivity through the Middle East

DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics provider, and Etihad Cargo have agreed to share capacity on DHL’s new five times a week freighter service operating through Abu Dhabi. 

The new cargo services use DHL’s Airbus A300-600 freighter fleet, and operate from Bahrain to Abu Dhabi and onwards to Bagram, Lahore, and Karachi and back to Abu Dhabi, where cargo can transfer onwards to Etihad Cargo destinations across the globe. 

The DHL Abu Dhabi service started in January 2014 and has already resulted in improved transit times for DHL cargo coming to the UAE from cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. 

DHL shipments from the United States to Abu Dhabi now arrive half a day earlier, providing customers with an improved 48-hour timeframe for door-to-door deliveries. 

Commenting on the partnership, Frank-Uwe Ungerer, Country Manager for DHL Express in the UAE, said: “Adding Abu Dhabi to our network will enable us to better service all-important trade lanes and markets in the Middle East and Asia. 

“The partnership with Etihad Cargo will also enable us to offer customers of both carriers a wide array of flight options and speedier deliveries. We are confident that this will be a successful collaboration.” 

David Kerr, Etihad Airways Vice President Cargo, said: “DHL is a proven leader in the logistics field and together, our partnership will strengthen cargo operations through our Abu Dhabi hub for the benefit of our respective customers. 

“In particular, having access to DHL’s new five times a week freighter service from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain and more freighter capacity out of Pakistan enables us to provide our customers with more cost competitive and enhanced routings and quicker delivery times.”