Etihad Cargo adds Boeing 777 freighter to fleet

A new Boeing 777 was delivered to Etihad Cargo in February and entered service on March 1.

The 11th freighter to the fleet is the first of 199 planes ordered from Boeing in 2013, for a total cost of $67 billion. The second 777 freighter is scheduled for delivery later this month.

“The additional freighter gives us the opportunity to expand our specialist cargo services and grow our market share,” Etihad Airways Chief Strategy and Planning Officer Kevin Knight said. “Over the last year, we have been expanding into South America, Africa and Asia, and the new aircraft will enhance capacity and enable us to increase frequency across our scheduled network -- but, importantly, also increase our charter opportunities to growth areas of the world.”

In addition to the cargo capacity of the new 777s, both new planes are equipped with nine seats. Etihad Cargo's Sky Stables program moves horses around the world. The extra seating allows grooms to travel with the horses.

The current cargo fleet consists of three Boeing 777Fs, three Boeing 747s and four Airbus A330s, while the passenger fleet consists of over 100 aircraft. The cargo division serves 14 freighter-only destinations, with 592,090 tons of freight and mail delivered in 2015.