News Release

A330-200F deployed to Pakistan for inaugural charter

The inaugural flight for Etihad Crystal Cargo's new A330-200 freighter aircraft took place on Saturday, 28 August, and was a special charter carrying medical and humanitarian supplies to Pakistan.

The new A330-200F was deployed to Karachi and utilised the aircraft's capacity to 59 tonnes. The aid was required following heavy monsoon rains which hit Pakistan in late July causing severe flooding to major areas of the country.

Etihad worked with UK-based Chapman Freeborn Airchartering, charter specialists on the project. The charter flight began in Billund, Denmark, and flew first to Abu Dhabi and then onto Karachi.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer, said: "The UAE and Pakistan have a very close bond and Etihad, the UAE's national airline, is proud to play a part as Pakistan continues to recover from the devastating flooding."

Shahe Ouzounian, Chapman Freeborn's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We are very pleased to be the first charter company and customer to utilise Etihad's A330-200F. Etihad and Chapman Freeborn worked together with the client to ensure the aid supplies were delivered successfully to Pakistan, on time and within budget."

The A330-200F charter is the latest in a series of relief flights Chapman Freeborn has completed in recent weeks. The company has airlifted nearly 2000 tons of relief cargo to Pakistan on behalf of governments and international aid agencies on over 30 flights contracted to date.

Chapman Freeborn's worldwide offices have responded immediately to urgent aid agency requests - utilising IL-76, IL-96, AN-12, A300, A330, B777 and B747 freighters to deliver emergency supplies including shelter, drinking water, food, medical supplies and relief vehicles as well as arranging passenger flights in the region.

Etihad Crystal Cargo also operated relief flights to Haiti following the earthquake that hit the country in January 2010.