Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, and SF Airlines, China’s leading air cargo carrier, have announced a major capacity increase as part of a Joint Business Agreement (JBA). Through this partnership, both carriers will create a seamless, shared network, building stronger ties between Abu Dhabi and Shenzhen and Ezhou, two of China’s major logistics hubs.
By integrating Etihad Cargo’s and SF Airlines’ freighter services, the JBA brings the combined total of weekly flights to Shenzhen to 9. Home to the first international cargo station in China operating 24 hours a day, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport enables rapid turnaround times, providing an elevated customer experience.
Additionally, the shared total of flights to Ezhou, Asia’s first dedicated cargo airport, has been expanded to 7 per week. Situated in the Hubei Province, Ezhou Huahu Airport offers unparalleled domestic reach and growing international connectivity.
The agreement was signed in June of this year by Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, and Li Sheng, Chairman of SF Airlines. Under a metal-neutral setup, the airlines will jointly market and integrate their airfreight services, align service standards, and introduce coordinated pricing.
The partnership is geared towards supporting fast-growing markets such as cross-border e-commerce and pharmaceuticals. By aligning Etihad Cargo’s SecureTech and PharmaLife solutions with SF Airlines’ strong domestic distribution network, the agreement enables seamless movement of electronics, time-sensitive goods, and precision equipment across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
The combined Shenzhen and Ezhou totals include the extra weekly flights Etihad Cargo recently introduced as part of the winter 2025 schedule.
Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer of Etihad Airways, shared, ‘Shenzhen and Ezhou represent two of China’s most active and efficient logistics hubs. Through our JBA, we are linking our customers to both China’s main distribution hub and an expanded global network. By strengthening our partnership with SF Airlines, we look forward to enabling new trade opportunities and connecting more businesses and communities beyond borders.’
Li Sheng, Chairman of SF Airlines, said “This strategic collaboration is expected to generate significant business efficiencies, support revenue growth, and enhance customer satisfaction. By combining their strengths, Etihad Airways and SF Airlines are better positioned to offer world-class air cargo solutions that respond to the evolving demands of the global logistics industry.”
This partnership is about creating stronger global connections that move goods and ideas with greater ease, empowering the people and businesses behind every shipment. Together, Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines are setting a new standard for international trade, driving growth through collaboration and smarter ways to move cargo across the globe.
