What does the future of air cargo look like when growth alone isn’t enough? In the Middle East, the race is no longer just about scale—it’s about precision, speed, and smart design. From AI-powered tools that predict cargo flows to pharma hubs built to anchor national health strategies, carriers are rewiring their networks for resilience and agility.

Etihad Cargo’s chief cargo officer, Stanislas Brun, outlined how the Abu Dhabi-based carrier is preparing for what’s next, with a roadmap grounded in partnerships, product innovation, and smarter digital interfaces that match the accelerating needs of global shippers.

With macroeconomic headwinds easing and global trade flows entering a new phase of recovery and realignment, Etihad Cargo is leaning into network expansion to better serve growth corridors and high-value verticals. The airline’s 2025 schedule features new widebody flights to Prague, Warsaw, and Atlanta—three gateways strategically selected to deepen connectivity between Europe, the US, and the Middle East.

“In 2025, we are introducing new widebody flights to Prague, Warsaw, and Atlanta, while doubling capacity into Spain and France,” Brun said. “In Greater China, there has been an 18 percent increase in main deck capacity, supported by additional freighter frequencies to Shenzhen.”

The decision to reinforce links into China reflects a broader regional strategy. “China continues to show strong demand across verticals, and our freighter deployments to Shenzhen are part of our strategy to capture that growth,” he explained.

Etihad’s partnership with SF Airlines—China’s largest express carrier—has already positioned Abu Dhabi as a primary UAE gateway for Chinese cargo. Other areas of momentum include India and Japan.

“India continues to deliver double-digit growth across verticals such as pharma and perishables,” said Brun. “Japan and North Asia remain high-priority regions as the Osaka Expo accelerates inbound and outbound cargo flows.”

Digital acceleration

Etihad Cargo’s network strategy is backed by a digital roadmap that aims to remove friction from every stage of the shipment journey. At its core is a growing set of API integrations and self-service tools, designed to give customers faster, more intelligent access to services, rates, and status updates.

“In the past year, we have enhanced our digital platforms by expanding direct API integrations with global forwarders, upgrading our online booking portal, and rolling out real-time shipment monitoring via our Cargo Control Centre,” Brun said.

One of the more recent developments is the Instant Offer Rate tool, which delivers dynamic pricing within seconds—reducing lag and giving forwarders more control over planning. This functionality is being embedded in collaboration with Etihad’s newly created Customer Experience Department.

“By embedding feedback into service design and collaborating across commercial, operations, and product teams, the department ensures digital tools are shaped by real user needs,” Brun explained.

This user-centric approach extends to industry partnerships. “Our collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP) simplifies export bookings and rate visibility, helping customers better navigate complex supply chains,” he added.

Automation is also being scaled inside the airline’s own processes. Etihad has partnered with Wiremind to introduce a revenue management and palletisation suite featuring CargoStack Optimiser and SkyPallet. These tools improve capacity planning, particularly for high-volume e-commerce cargo. “These data-driven tools significantly increase flight efficiency and capacity utilisation, ensuring e-commerce consignments are managed with speed, precision, and flexibility,” said Brun.

As digital infrastructure grows, so too does the ambition. “We are investing in AI-powered tools to improve capacity forecasting, customer engagement, and shipment tracking,” Brun confirmed. “Automation across our warehousing, booking, and customer service platforms is being scaled to streamline operations and enhance responsiveness.”

Focus on standards

Beyond general cargo, Etihad Cargo is investing heavily in premium and regulated shipments. The most notable development is the expansion of its CEIV Pharma-certified cool chain network, along with the opening of a new regional vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi.

“This hub is part of a wider public–private collaboration between Etihad Cargo, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Rafed, and GSK,” Brun said. “It aims to improve access to life-saving vaccines, boost healthcare logistics, and position Abu Dhabi as a centre of excellence for pharmaceuticals and life sciences in the region.”

That vision is backed by infrastructure: Etihad has doubled the capacity of its cool chain facility at Zayed International Airport and now operates over 2,350 certified trade lanes. Support tools such as thermal blankets, cool dollies, and container tracking solutions add resilience to sensitive shipments.

“In addition to advanced technology, we maintain a strong focus on compliance and customer support,” said Brun. “We ensure that product integrity is preserved throughout transit.”

Etihad Cargo’s commitment to welfare also extends to live animal transport, where its CEIV Live Animals certification covers both equine logistics and pet travel services. Brun highlighted recent policy updates which extend permitted carriage times for pets and introduce seasonal restrictions for sensitive breeds.

“These adjustments show how we’re listening to the market and improving welfare outcomes through practical, science-based decisions,” he said.

That same customer focus applies to last-mile delivery and exception handling. “We control every step of the journey, from initial freight to final mile,” he said. “Following the guidelines and applicable regulations is key to ensuring the quality and safety of both healthcare and live animal shipments.”