Exceptional Developments and Outstanding Performance are Headline Highlights at Etihad Cargo

UAE National Carrier’s Cargo Division builds a rock sold reputation for reliability and innovation

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, was established in 2004, Etihad Cargo has since grown rapidly and exponentially to become one of the top air cargo carriers in the world, offering customers a range of cargo products and services to five major continents.

From its hub in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, strategically located at the crossroads of the world’s busiest trade lanes, Etihad Cargo provides an integral link between Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and Africa.

In addition to general cargo, Etihad Cargo offers a wide range of specialty products including live animals, dangerous goods, valuables and vulnerables, personal effects, as well as its market leading cold chain products (the latter holding IATA’s stringent Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators certifications for both Pharmaceutical and Perishables Logistics, as well as Live Animals Logistics).

Etihad Cargo’s number one priority is safety, and the carrier recently became the third Middle Eastern airline to achieve International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification.

Etihad Airways recently appointed Stanislas Brun to the role of Vice President Cargo. Brun will be responsible for Etihad Cargo’s commercial operations including scheduled and charter flights, revenue management and network planning. Brun will report to Etihad Airways’ Chief

Operating Officer, Mohammad Al Bulooki.

Brun joins Etihad Cargo from Geodis, where, in his role as Senior Vice President Global Airfreight, he oversaw the global air cargo operations of the logistics and supply chain solutions provider. As the newly appointed Vice President Cargo of Etihad Cargo, Brun will oversee all facets of the cargo commercial operations, including revenue management and network planning.

Global Supply Chain interviewed Stanislas Brun exclusively a few weeks after his appointment. The following is the transcript of that extensive interview.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): You were recently appointed to your current top position in February 2024; what is your mandate and what are you tasked with?

Stanislas Brun (SB): Joining Etihad Cargo at this juncture is truly an exhilarating opportunity, especially given the impressive trajectory the carrier has followed over the last two decades.

Since its inception, Etihad Cargo has meticulously built a reputation for reliability and innovation, always prioritising our customers and continuously investing in our service portfolio and operational reach. My mandate, as I step into this role, is to amplify these efforts, ensuring that our commitment to our customers and partners not only remains steadfast but grows stronger.

We will be intensifying our customerfirst philosophy, enhancing our service quality, fostering strong partnerships, and steering Etihad Cargo towards even greater heights of success. It’s a time of immense potential for Etihad Cargo, and I am looking forward to contributing to its future achievements, ensuring we keep delivering on our promises and remain the air cargo partner of choice.

In the coming months, my focus will be on getting even closer to our customers and partners. This involves a deep dive into understanding their unique needs and challenges, with the goal of delivering tailored solutions that not just meet their current expectations but are also anticipatory of their future needs.

The essence of my role is to keep the customer at the centre of everything we do, ensuring their needs and feedback directly influence our strategic decisions and development processes.

Service quality, a cornerstone of Etihad Cargo’s success, is an area where there’s always room for enhancement. My focus will include identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation in how we deliver our services. This continuous pursuit of excellence is critical in maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring we offer the best possible experience to our customers.

Alongside this, strengthening and expanding our partnerships will be key. By building robust collaborations, we can extend our reach, improve our service offerings, and ensure that we remain a preferred choice for cargo services worldwide.

Investing in our growth and embracing innovation will also be a significant part of my mandate. Staying ahead of industry trends, leveraging new technologies, and continuously refining our offerings are essential strategies to ensure Etihad Cargo remains at the forefront of the cargo industry.

GSC: Etihad Airways recently released its FY-2023 Annual revenues. Cargo revenues touched AED 3.4billion (US$ 914million) in 2023. What is your take on the figures?

SB: As we emerged from the pandemic, market conditions started to adjust on its way to normalization. However, it is worth highlighting that we are still far from pre pandemic yields and revenues.

That said, if we compare the 2023 results to 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, Etihad Cargo’s volumes were still 30% higher in 2023. Highlights in 2023 includes Etihad

Cargo transporting 37% more PharmaLife and 10% more FreshForward shipments, made possible by our continuous product enhancements, investment in infrastructure and technology, and working closely with our partners and customers.

GSC: Where do you foresee Etihad Cargo growth revenues in 2024?

SB: The air cargo market remains challenging, but Etihad Cargo is actively exploring opportunities for pockets of capacity demand across our network while continuing to add depth to our network via new routes and increased frequencies to ensure we can fully meet our customers’ requirements.

In terms of our key verticals for 2024, pharmaceuticals, express cargo and express options for other types of cargo will continue to be a focus for Etihad Cargo, and logistics across these critical sectors will further evolve. E-commerce also shows great potential, and Etihad Cargo has already signed e-commerce contacts with our key partners and customers that will see us extend our dedicated charters until December 2024.

In response to growing demand for transportation solutions for high-value electronics, Etihad Cargo launched SecureTech, our ninth premium product, which is dedicated to the safe and secure transportation of lithium-powered goods, including laptops and mobile phones. So far in 2024, we have already witnessed a 51% increase in electronics shipments versus the same period last year.

We have ambitious growth plans for the coming year, including adding further depth and destinations to our global network, which will enable us to add more capacity along key routes. Etihad Cargo will also continue to strengthen our partnerships so we can enhance our capabilities, ultimately benefiting our customers.