Chinese dedicated air cargo carrier SF Airlines and Etihad Airways have completed a deal to form a Joint Business Agreement (JBA).
The carriers said the partnership will enhance their cargo operations, expand network capacity and offer customers greater flexibility and service options.
The agreement was signed at last week’s Air Cargo Europe event in Munich by Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive of Etihad Airways and Li Sheng, vice president of SF Group and chairman of SF Airlines.
The carriers will collaborate on a “metal-neutral” basis to jointly market and integrate their airfreight services.
They said the partnership will “foster incremental growth and create a seamless, shared network that offers customers an expanded range of destinations, increased cargo capacity and enhanced service efficiency”.
Neves said: “This business agreement marks an important step in Etihad’s strategy to strengthen global connectivity and deliver greater value to our customers.
“By working closely with SF Airlines, we are expanding our service offerings, optimising operational efficiency and enhancing our competitive position in the air cargo industry.”
As part of the JBA, Etihad and SF will expand network connectivity and capacity across key trade lanes.
Both carriers have also vowed to invest in improving service quality and operational efficiency, to provide “consistently elevated customer experience”.
The partnership will enable coordinated pricing strategies and alignment of service standards while supporting the strategic allocation of routes, sales efforts and client portfolios.
Sheng added: “This agreement represents a significant milestone for SF Airlines as we continue to build our international network.
“Partnering with Etihad Airways enables us to increase capacity and gain greater market access, offering customers enhanced services. Together, we will drive innovation and efficiency to meet the growing demand for high-quality logistics solutions.”
With the growth of cross-border e-commerce, time-sensitive shipments and specialised logistics services, the partnership is expected to offer greater flexibility and tailored solutions to meet evolving customer needs.
The joint business will focus on key cargo product verticals, including Etihad Cargo’s SecureTech and PharmaLife solutions, which support the movement of high-value electronics, sensitive equipment and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical goods.
The strategic collaboration is expected to generate significant business efficiencies, support revenue growth and enhance customer satisfaction.
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