Over one million kilos of revenue cargo from the UK in September 2005

Etihad Crystal Cargo, the cargo division of Etihad Airways ' the national airline of the United Arab Emirates ' has carried over one million kilos of revenue cargo from the UK in the month of September.

The September milestone reflects the continued cargo growth that has been achieved since Etihad Airways started serving London in April 2004.

"To achieve the milestone of 1,000,000 kilos of UK export cargo in a calendar month clearly demonstrates the developing strength of Etihad Crystal Cargo. It shows our ability to become a key player in the world's air cargo industry - and in a competitive environment like the UK" says Ingo Roessler, VP Cargo at Etihad Crystal Cargo. "Our GSSA strategy in cargo has proven to be very effective in rolling-out our network", he adds.

Currently Etihad Airways offers 10 wide-bodied flights a week between its home base Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow and a daily flight London Gatwick ' Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways will increase its UK cargo capacity even further in February 2006 when one of its brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will commence operations on the Abu Dhabi - Gatwick route.

"We will offer the market at least 20 tons of capacity a flight even with a full passenger load once the B777 comes on line" said Keith Stevens, Managing Director of Platinum Air Cargo, Etihad Crystal Cargo's UK Cargo GSSA. "The cargo growth achieved by Etihad Crystal Cargo so far will be accelerated even faster with the new aircraft and we look forward to making an even bigger impact on the UK cargo market" he adds.

Etihad Crystal Cargo moved 20,000 tons of cargo in 2004, our first full year of operation, striving for the 100,000 tons mark in 2005.