Etihad Crystal Cargo and Hertz team up for Afghanistan heavy lift

Etihad Crystal Cargo – the fast growing cargo division of Etihad Airways – this week operated the first of six heavy lift flights from the UAE into Afghanistan.

The cargo flights, leased from Etihad Crystal Cargo partner Maximus Air Cargo, are being operated on a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 aircraft and are an extension of an existing commercial agreement between Hertz and Etihad Airways.

Hertz has had a commercial agreement with Etihad Airways since 2010.  The long term agreement will also utilise Etihad’s wet leased aircraft for a large number of smaller vehicle air shipments.

The heavy lift cargo flights will transport large scale construction machinery including four wheel drive vehicles, cranes and rough terrain heavy duty plant equipment to two bases in Afghanistan, where Hertz is expanding its heavy duty machinery rental business.

Roy Kinnear, Senior Vice President Cargo at Etihad, said: “Etihad has worked closely with Hertz over the last two years, and these specialised supersized flights, facilitated by Etihad Airways with our partners Maximus Air Cargo, are a further development of that good relationship, and proves Crystal Cargo’s ability to source high-calibre robust logistical solutions for our partners and customers.

“The Antonov An-124 aircraft, leased from Maximus Air Cargo, are the ideal aircraft for moving these supersized pieces of equipment.  We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Hertz as this project develops utilising Etihad’s wet leased MD11 and A300 freighter aircraft.”

Gina Costa, Hertz Commercial Director MEA, said: “We are grateful to be able to call on the considerable expertise and resources of our strategic partner, Etihad Airways, to deliver our equipment, vehicles and technical expertise into Afghanistan, precisely on schedule, in what is a considerable logistical exercise.”