ETIHAD CARGO REPORTS ABOVE-AVERAGE GROWTH FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 2025, THANKS TO PREMIUM PRODUCTS, FLEXIBLE NETWORK AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

In the competitive airfreight landscape, Etihad Cargo shows a robust growth trajectory for the first half of 2025, outperforming industry averages thanks to a combination of premium products, a flexible global network and strategic partnerships well aligned with the needs of international shippers. This performance comes against a backdrop in which the airfreight industry has seen traffic dynamics underpinned by demand for value-added services and the impact of supply chains that remain sensitive to global economic conditions. Etihad Cargo has positioned itself as a player that transforms operational challenges into opportunities, focusing on solutions tailored to segments such as pharmaceuticals, high-end electronics and critical industrial parts.

Etihad Cargo: selective growth and premium products as the main drivers in the first half of 2025

The growth demonstrated by Etihad Cargo in the first half of 2025 is based on a premium product offering designed to meet security, traceability and speed requirements that exceed traditional freight standards. Sensitive shipments, temperature-controlled goods and high value-added products benefit from dedicated services incorporating monitoring technologies, adapted packaging and optimized cold chains. This approach not only increases transport volumes, but also improves unit yields, a crucial point in a sector where rate elasticity is influenced by logistical complexity.

To illustrate this dynamic, several operational aspects have been strengthened. Firstly, the management of highly sensitive flows is based on cold chain solutions operated in collaboration with external partners and dedicated in-house teams. Secondly, the high-tech and pharmaceutical segment benefits from real-time tracking and enhanced compliance with international standards. Finally, customized packaging and wrapping initiatives help minimize the risk of damage and preserve the integrity of critical cargoes during handling and multi-arch transfers. At the same time, our sales teams are optimizing pricing and service conditions, in order to offer customers premium that win over customers who are sensitive to total cost of ownership but demanding on performance.

• Advanced traceability and transparency of cargo status for customers in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
• Customized packaging solutions and proactive temperature management.
• Express service offers and secure transport guarantees.
• Dynamic pricing adapted to peak demand and logistical constraints.
• Compliance with international regulatory requirements for sensitive foodstuffs.

In a competitive context, Etihad Cargo is surrounded by a group of major players shaping the dynamics of the global freight industry. Regular exchanges and cooperation with operators such as Air France KLM Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo or even Emirates SkyCargo are dotted across the landscape, offering the prospect of network synergies and the sharing of best practices. These interactions are not limited to commercial cooperation, but also take the form of technical initiatives, such as shared capacity agreements and joint maintenance and safety programs.

Recent sector data show that the entire logistics chain has seen an increase in flows in high value-added segments, with a particular focus on multi-operator partnerships. Etihad Cargo's holistic approach integrates shippers' needs, capacity planning constraints and operational efficiencies. For companies seeking better coordination of international flows, partners such as Singapore Airlines Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding are benchmarks for coordinating networks and ramp-up services, complementing Etihad Cargo's premium offers.

Customer case studies and feedback demonstrate the tangible benefits of an adapted premium offer. For example, manufacturers in the aerospace and electronics sectors have seen a reduction in transit times and an improvement in delivery reliability when cold chain solutions and value-added services were deployed in a coordinated way at major hubs. In the spirit of open collaboration, specialist articles and industry analyses highlight how major airfreight players, including Etihad CargoIn addition, airfreight operators are able to maintain a competitive edge through innovation and rapid response to market demands. To delve deeper into these trends, reading recent analyses of the 2024-2025 air freight outlook can provide useful context, particularly via industry journals and reports.

Concrete examples of commitments and results observed in the first half of 2025, with indications of performance and evolution around premium elements:

• Measured increase in volumes transported in the pharma and high-tech segments, fueled by tighter quality controls and higher processing speeds.
• Reduced transit cycles thanks to better synchronization between the company's hubs and key destinations.
• Improved unit margins through product differentiation and higher value-added services.
• Strengthening partnerships with major airlines and freight agents to optimize routes and slots.

To situate Etihad Cargo's action in the global landscape, several external resources extend the analysis of air freight dynamics and how incumbent and emerging operators are adapting. In particular, readers can consult summaries and market studies that discuss the industry's performance and the contribution of premium services to the sector's overall growth. A record-breaking and profitable 2024 for global air freight and 2024 review and 2025 outlook offer analytical frameworks for understanding the trends observed. Other analyses cite Etihad Cargo's performance in similar contexts, such as partnerships and network initiatives that increase global freight coverage and resilience.

Key facts about premium modules and the network

• Etihad Cargo's premium services cover cold chain maintenance, enhanced security solutions and expedited delivery options.
• Key hubs and routes have been optimized to facilitate seamless connections and transfers, even during periods of high demand.
• Partnerships with international players offer multi-regional coverage and competitive pricing opportunities while maintaining high quality.
• The solutions offered by Air France KLM Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo complete the ecosystem to meet a wide range of customer requirements.

Flexible network and optimized operations: how Etihad Cargo navigates a changing environment in 2025

The network of Etihad Cargo is designed to absorb fluctuations in demand and adapt rapidly to operational conditions, whether these involve new routes, increased frequencies or variations in capacity on critical links. This flexibility rests on several pillars: geographical diversification, the use of adapted fleets, and close coordination with international air and logistics partners. The network relies in particular on major corridors linking Asia, Europe and the Middle East, while maintaining a solid presence in emerging markets, where demand for premium services is on the rise.

The ability to modulate flows according to order books and service targets is essential to stay ahead of the competition. Optimization requires a combination of digital solutions, integrated planning systems and a network of backups that can be activated rapidly to meet seasonal peaks. In this context, partners such as Emirates SkyCargo, Turkish Cargoand Singapore Airlines Cargo play a key role in providing additional capacity and expanding the possibilities for boosting the most popular routes.

• Analytical capacity and route planning based on half-year trends and traffic forecasts.
• Coordinated use of hubs and handling ramps to reduce downtime and connection times.
• Integration of traceability data and real-time alerts to prevent delays and reroute shipments according to customer priorities.
• Strengthened strategic partnerships with global players to ensure continuous coverage on the busiest routes.

The competitive environment also calls for an examination of potential synergies with freight transport leaders such as FedEx Express and DHL Global Forwardingwho bring their expertise in urban logistics, express delivery and end-to-end solutions. This coordination expands the service portfolio and increases operational resilience in the face of fluctuating volumes and external constraints. For a better understanding of how air networks will evolve in 2025, recent sector-specific resources provide useful insights into capacity adjustment mechanisms and market access strategies.

On the customer side, Etihad Cargo aims to deliver a seamless, reliable experience, ensuring service consistency across all destinations and aligning performance commitments with the expectations of the most demanding shippers. External analyses underline the importance of speed of execution and cost transparency as differentiating factors in the modern airfreight sector. Etihad record first half 2025 and half-year profit and global expansion offer complementary analyses of these dynamics.

To support this vision of a flexible network, key operational elements are highlighted:

• Ability to rapidly redirect volumes to high-growth destinations.
• Coordination with transshipment points to improve transit times.
• Use analytical data to anticipate demand peaks and plan capacity adjustments.
• Convergence of processes between partners to maintain a high level of service throughout the network.

As 2025 unfolds, air freight operators continue to compare their offerings and leverage each other's strengths to optimize global supply chains. In this context, demonstration missions and pilot projects with reference partners provide concrete feedback on the benefits of an agile network and a differentiated offering. Players who know how to combine operational flexibility and service excellence are in a favorable position to capture additional flows and win the loyalty of diversified customer portfolios.

Strategic partnerships and airfreight competitiveness in 2025: Etihad Cargo's role vis-à-vis the majors and alliances

The air freight partnership landscape is marked by a common quest to convert opportunities into tangible market share. Etihad Cargo acts as a useful lever to catalyze collaborations and expand its presence in markets where growth margins are still high. In this context, alliances and cooperation agreements with operators such as Air France KLM Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, CMA CGM Air Cargo and Turkish Cargo are essential for extending routes, optimizing connectivity and offering more integrated logistics solutions.

Strategic agreements serve a number of purposes: improving operational efficiency, increasing value chain visibility, and offering a variety of products and services to meet the needs of specific customer segments. In the context of 2025, communication about partners' performance and service quality is becoming a central element of competitiveness. For shippers looking for complete solutions, the ecosystem formed by Singapore Airlines Cargo, DHL Global Forwardingand FedEx Express can offer a level of coordination and reliability that facilitates international flows over long distances and tight deadlines.

• Expanding corridors and optimizing shared niches in key markets.
• Sharing engineering and operational knowledge to reduce costs and lead times.
• Creation of integrated logistics packages, including air transport and supply chain services.
• Cooperation on compliance, safety and traceability.

Specialized resources examine industry trends and highlight how strengthened partnerships positively influence operator performance. Analyses show that alliances and capacity-sharing agreements can improve flow predictability and offer more resilient options in the face of the vagaries of international transport. For further information, read our analyses of freight trends and the benefits of partnerships, particularly in the first post-pandemic half-years. Atlas Air and Etihad Cargo sign new long-term partnership and Etihad: improved half-year profit thanks to global expansion provide specific insights into the value mechanisms created by these collaborations.

In this context, companies are seeking to optimize cooperation schemes and develop offers that fit in with the expectations of international shippers. The aim is to be perceived as reliable partners, capable of guaranteeing deadlines and safety, while offering extensive and fluid connectivity in high-potential markets. Content and communication strategies around partnerships are also becoming a key element, in order to demonstrate the added value brought by alliances and joint programs.

• Multi-operator and multi-modal freight solutions are gaining in importance to meet the diversity of customer needs.
• Joint projects in regional markets strengthen network presence and resilience.
• Demonstrations of performance and half-yearly earnings figures reinforce partners' credibility.
• Exchanges of technical expertise between operators stimulate innovation in premium services.

To situate these dynamics within the evolution of the sector, several specialized resources illustrate how expansions and partnerships shape growth trajectories. Further reading on air freight trends in 2024 and 2025 provides an understanding of the general framework and indicators that guide freight operators' decisions. Air transport news - Partnerships and performance and Etihad nine-month net profits provide concrete benchmarks for the mechanisms implemented by Etihad Cargo and its partners.

At the same time, industry analyses highlight the role of alliances in aligning customer portfolios and services. This enables shippers to benefit from a one-stop shop for their global needs, with better visibility of costs and lead times. This framework builds confidence and supports sustainable growth, even when temporary disruptions affect certain market segments.

These reflections are also based on assessments of competitiveness and innovation in the sector, including references to leading players such as Aer Lingus Cargo and Etihadwhich show that the aggregate value of partnerships depends as much on operational robustness as on commercial agility. Further reading on our performance and outlook for 2025 can be accessed via the links below, to gain a better understanding of the competitive environment and growth drivers in the air freight sector.

• Atlas Air and Etihad Cargo: long-term partnership
• Study: Etihad record 1st half 2025
• Official Etihad Cargo website - News

Examples of collaborations and performance indicators

• Joint initiatives to optimize the logistics chain and reduce transit times on key corridors.
• Share technical resources and operational data to improve customer targeting and service personalization.
• Packages combining air transport and supply chain services for high value-added segments.
• Monitoring of performance indicators (OTD, on-time delivery rate, damage rate) and communication of results to partners and customers.

For those wishing to delve deeper into the economic and strategic aspects of air freight partnerships, external resources offer comprehensive analytical frameworks. Among them, specialized publications and market analyses describe the mechanisms by which partnerships strengthen competitiveness and support operators' sustainable growth. Analysis: Etihad's half-year performance and Better half-year profit thanks to global expansion offer complementary angles on these themes.

The challenges of competitiveness in the airfreight industry call for monitoring developments in premium service offerings and partner networks, in order to measure the impact on volumes, margins and customer loyalty. The combination of a flexible network, premium products and strategic partnerships continues to define the contours of a player such as Etihad Cargo which strives to turn challenges into opportunities in ever-changing global markets.

Additional links to enrich your understanding of the 2025 context and industrial dynamics:

• A record-breaking and profitable 2024 for global air freight
• 2024 review and 2025 outlook
• Atlas Air - Etihad Cargo long-term partnership
• Air transport news - regular
• Etihad net earnings - nine months

2025 outlook and risks to watch out for: how Etihad Cargo is preparing for the year beyond the first half

The outlook for 2025 remains favorable for operators who know how to combine operational excellence, service innovation and rational network expansion. For Etihad CargoOur priority is to maintain growth momentum while managing the risks inherent to the sector, such as volatile fuel prices, customs constraints and fluctuations in demand in key markets. Quality of service and the ability to offer end-to-end solutions remain key differentiators in a sector where customers demand results and impeccable traceability.

In this context, the company relies on an ecosystem of partners that includes the big names in freight forwarding and international logistics. Exchanges with players such as Emirates SkyCargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, DHL Global Forwarding and FedEx Express are being strengthened to offer integrated solutions and respond to complex scenarios, particularly in Asian and European markets. At the same time, the use of regional operators and niche carriers enables us to optimize flows and offer more resilient routes.

• Enhanced visibility and traceability for sensitive customers.
• Continuous improvement of operational efficiency and reduction of transit times.
• Progressive deployment of digital solutions for flow optimization and risk management.
• Integration of new premium services tailored to the needs of the 2025 market.

Industry analyses in specialist publications emphasize that growth in air freight depends on a balance between capacity, cost and service. For shippers seeking to optimize their chains, partnerships and extended networks offer opportunities to secure critical links while controlling supply chain risks. First-half 2025 performance and outlook and Official Etihad Cargo news provide additional information on plans and results.

In short, 2025 looks set to be a year of continued growth for Etihad CargoThe airfreight sector continues to evolve towards more specialized services and more integrated solutions. The airfreight sector continues to evolve towards more specialized services and more integrated solutions, where operational expertise and technological innovation remain the key levers for meeting increasingly demanding global demand.

To enrich your understanding of air freight trends in 2025 and the performance of the main players, here are some additional links:

• Etihad Cargo steps up its winter freight program
• Qantas expands routes to cater for high tourist numbers
• Embraer opens new MRO hangars
• Ontario Airport - new user agreement
• EasyJet launches new winter route

This summary highlights Etihad Cargo's central role in a sector where partnerships and operational innovations remain the major levers of competitiveness. The first half of 2025 has thus shown that a premium offer, combined with operational flexibility and strategic collaborations, can generate growth that will shed light on the entire airfreight landscape for the coming year.

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