Etihad Cargo expands US network: Etihad Cargo has expanded its US network and boosted its US air freight capacity via the introduction of a new service to Boston that will run four times a week, according to a statement. The carrier kicked off the new route with an inaugural flight to Boston earlier this week.

What we know: The route will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner providing 50 tonnes of cargo capacity per week. Cargo shipped from Boston will include perishables including lobster and seafood, oncology treatments, medical devices and aircraft parts from Boston to Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub, paving the way from transits to other destinations worldwide, the statement added.

ICYMI- Etihad Airways took delivery of three Dreamliners in late February, with one earmarked for operations on the newly activated Boston route, according to an earlier statement.

What’s on offer: The carrier expanded its network with cargo handling outfit Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) to allow for better deliver premium products including CEIV-certified PharmaLife for pharma shipments, FreshForward for perishables, and LiveAnimals and SkyStables for the transport of live animals.

And the carrier is doubling down on its US operations: Etihad Cargo also inked a three year partnership with WFS in late February for the handling of upwards of 120k tonnes of cargo a year at more than 12 international airports, with the agreement seeing renewals for standing contracts at New York JFK and Washington Dulles, as well as a new contract for Chicago.

Boston is now part of a larger US network: Etihad Cargo’s new service to Boston comes as the carrier’s fourth gateway destination in the US resulting in 33 weekly flights to the US, the statement added. Etihad Cargo runs twice daily flights to New York’s JFK, daily flights to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles, and a weekly freighter service to Chicago.

Etihad Cargo has been on an expansion spree: The carrier’s Abu Dhabi hub received Kenya-based cargo airline Astral Aviation’s inaugural flight from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi last week, in commencement of an MoU inked to expand Etihad Cargo’s link to African markets.

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