Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways has appointed Robert Fordree as its new cargo services delivery manager for Europe and the Americas.
Based at London Heathrow airport, Mr. Fordree will manage Etihad Crystal Cargo's regional operations and service performance and oversee shipment transfers. He will also look to strengthen the transit capabilities between ground handling agents and other airline interline partners.
Prior to joining Etihad Mr. Fordree spent 10 years with Menzies Aviation where he held a number of positions including vice president key accounts and general manager commercial development. He began his career as a cargo trainee with Lufthansa Cargo in the UK where he spent 10 years.
Des Vertannes, Etihad Airways' executive vice president cargo, said: 'Etihad Crystal Cargo continues to expand its services and personnel in our key locations across the world and I am very pleased to welcome Robert, who has more than 20 years of industry experience, to the team.
Mr. Fordree said: 'Europe and the Americas includes many of Etihad Crystal Cargo's strongest and important markets, and I look forward to working with the team to develop service delivery and our interline relationships there further.'
Etihad Crystal Cargo continues to perform well during challenging economic times and the first nine months of 2008 witnessed record results from the division.
During the period, it carried more than 198,000 global shipments, an increase of 23 per cent compared to the first nine months of 2007. These shipments had a combined weight of more than 150,000 tons.
A key highlight for Etihad Crystal Cargo during the last quarter has been the successful launch of a new service to allow its customers to send heavy or excess quantities of baggage before they fly and at special rates that are cheaper than the excess baggage fees they would normally have paid.
