Etihad Cargo carries considerable momentum into 2026, after a year in which it introduced new technology, cemented partnerships that are growing its capacity and network reach and addressed the softer side of air freight.
Launched in October 2025 under the carrier’s Beyond Borders ‘brand platform’, the ‘It’s Never Just an Address’campaign encapsulates Etihad Cargo’s growth philosophy, since it is essentially about people.
“Beyond Borders reflects Etihad’s commitment to going the extra mile for customers while empowering our people across the network,” says Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways. “It means putting the customer at the centre of every decision and translating that mindset into action – through reliable operations, freighter extensions to meet demand, and long-term partnerships. ‘It’s Never Just an Address’ shows how, together with our customers, we create real value for end users and highlights the impact our teams have on people’s lives.”
In 2025, Etihad Cargo secured long-term partnerships with China’s SF Airlines and US freight specialist Atlas Air. Brun explains: “Strategic partnerships are central to Etihad Cargo’s growth model, allowing us to expand reach, scale capacity and enhance resilience without compromising service quality. SF Airlines and Atlas Air were selected based on their complementary networks, operational reliability and strong alignment with our long-term strategy.
“Our joint business agreement with SF Airlines enables shared capacity on designated routes, providing seamless access across mainland China while aligning schedules, pricing and service standards. The partnership strengthens eastbound connectivity and supports high-growth sectors including e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and high-value manufacturing.
“With Atlas Air, freighter services operate fully within the Etihad Cargo network using Etihad Airway bills, ensuring a consistent customer experience. The partnership adds dedicated Boeing 777 freighter capacity on key westbound routes, supporting growing demand while maintaining full integration across commercial, operational and service platforms.”
Launched in June 2025, Etihad Cargo’s SmartTrack solution represents a fundamental shift in how the airline manages operations and customer engagement. “While it delivers real-time visibility for customers, its value goes well beyond transparency. SmartTrack combines hardware with software and AI-enabled analytics, allowing us to proactively monitor not only shipment location but also conditions including temperature, shock, humidity and aircraft positioning,” Brun enthuses.
He continues: “SmartTrack has changed how we operate by enabling faster intervention, predictive exception management and more informed decision-making across the network. Rather than reacting to issues, our teams can now anticipate and address them proactively, improving reliability and asset utilisation while delivering greater confidence to customers.”
Emerging technologies, particularly AI and advanced analytics, will play a key role in Etihad Cargo’s future; AI is already embedded within the SmartTrack solution, improving shipment visibility, predictive insights and intervention speed. “These capabilities support more accurate demand forecasting, faster decision making and greater automation across the network. Combined with ongoing system upgrades, they enable a data-driven operations that can respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs,” adds Brun.
But even SmartTrack is unable to remove the perennial air freight challenge of seasonality. Nonetheless, Brun says: “Seasonality is a constant in air freight. Managing it effectively requires flexibility, strong partnerships and disciplined planning. We address this through a balanced mix of freighter and belly capacity, supported by strategic partnerships that allow us to scale up or reposition capacity as demand shifts. We remain agile, continuously monitoring demand to ensure we can meet customer needs and maintain both efficiency and reliability throughout the year.
“And our network planning is increasingly data-driven, enabling us to anticipate peaks and deploy capacity where it is needed most. Partnerships with carriers such as SF Airlines and Atlas Air further enhance this flexibility, ensuring we can sustain consistent service levels across seasons and regions. Combining agility with operational efficiency, we can respond quickly to changing market conditions while delivering the high standards our customers expect.”
