Airports

Ethiopian Cargo launches first freighter service from Africa to Miami

Ethiopian Cargo  yesterday (29 August) launched the first of two weekly freighter flights between Addis Ababa and Miami – creating the first-ever cargo-only route between Africa and Miami International Airport (MIA).

The scheduled flights will operate on a route that includes intermediate stops in Spain, Colombia and Belgium on inbound and outbound services. All flights will utilise a Boeing 777-200LRF aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive officer, Tewolde GebreMariam said: “We are very pleased to see Zaragoza, Miami, and Bogota joining our fast expanding freighter network in the Americas.

“With the new service, Ethiopian will carry Inditex high-end textile products from Zaragoza to the Americas. In line with our strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, we will keep on expanding our cargo destinations worldwide, thereby facilitating trade and economic growth among different regions of the world.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos A. Gimenez said: “We proudly welcome Ethiopian Airlines and its new cargo service to Miami-Dade County.

“We look forward to the additional revenue, jobs and business ties these new flights will bring to our community.”

Ethiopian’s announcement is the latest milestone in MIA’s strategic plan to expand into new global markets, adding to the synergies created by its extensive cargo network throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

During 2017, TACA Peru began four weekly freighter flights from five South American cities; Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM commenced 10 weekly freighter flights from Cancun; and Qatar Airways launched two weekly cargo flights from Doha, with intermediate stops in Luxembourg, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Quito, and Liege.

In 2018, Southern Air began a weekly freighter service from Hong Kong via Anchorage; Turkish Cargo launched a second weekly frequency from Istanbul; and Polar Air Cargo launched direct Tokyo freighter service.

In 2017, MIA secured its best year ever for freight tonnage, with over 2.2 million tonnes moving through the airport.

Miami-Dade aviation director, Lester Sola said: “We applaud Ethiopian Airlines for bringing us MIA’s first cargo destination in Africa.

“Our unrivaled position as the international cargo capital of the U.S. and the gateway of the Americas continues to attract new service from key markets in Europe, the Middle East, and now, one of the busiest air cargo hubs in Africa.”

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