Etihad Crystal Cargo's maiden freighter flight from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt-Hahn landed on time at 11:15pm (local time) May 3.

The new service will be operated four times per week, every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with an Airbus A300-600RF, offering a cargo capacity of up to 44 tons.

Etihad Crystal Cargo appointed Advanced Cargo Logistic (ACL) as Ground Handling Agent at Frankfurt-Hahn airport.

Des Vertannes, Etihad's vice president cargo, said: 'ACL offers Etihad Crystal Cargo an attractive mix of high-tech competence and operational readiness 365 days 24 hours. A high level of security, quality and service are the basis for successful freighter operations.'

ACL opened its air cargo logistics centre in March 2001 at Frankfurt-Hahn airport. The centre is directly situated on the apron and is one of the most modern air cargo processing centres in Europe.

Ute Rabenberg, ACL's Business Manager at Frankfurt-Hahn airport, added: 'We meet the special requirements of cargo with tailored, high-tech cargo systems. The direct access to the apron from ACL is of particular importance to our customers. It guarantees short distances and optimum loading and unloading.'

Etihad Crystal Cargo announced that it will switch its German freighter services from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Frankfurt-Hahn airport (HHN).

The carrier based its decision on the attractive business and cost environment as well as the operational flexibility Frankfurt-Hahn offers with its 24-hours service levels.

Stefano Wulf, managing director of Frankfurt-Hahn airport, said: 'The importance of air cargo at Frankfurt-Hahn airport has grown considerably in the last couple of years. Etihad Crystal Cargo is yet another dynamic new partner that will further boost the competitiveness of the airport Frankfurt-Hahn on a global level.'

Both Etihad Crystal Cargo and Frankfurt-Hahn airport have been awarded at the Air Cargo Media awards in London last weekend ' Etihad won 'Cargo Airline of the Year 2007' and 'Best Airline to the Indian Sub-continent' and Frankfurt-Hahn airport was voted 'Best Cargo Airport.'