Etihad Cargo joins the growing cargo operations at East Midlands Airport

• Etihad Cargo intends to launch two weekly cargo flights between Abu Dhabi (Zayed International Airport) and East Midlands Airport (EMA) from 27 October 2025.

• The move reinforces EMA’s position as the UK’s leading express charging hub, with strong road access and increased capacity.

• Etihad Airways joins a growing list of cargo operators adding EMA to their networks, including:

  • Central Airlines (first China-based airline to EMA, via YunExpress)

  • Atlas Air, Ethiopian Cargo, and Saudia Cargo (operating routes between China and the United Kingdom)

  • One Air, which moved from Heathrow to EMA and recently added a brand new 777F to its fleet.

The growth of cargo operations at East Midlands Airport has received further support with the announcement that Etihad Cargo will begin operating two flights per week from next week.

Flights will be operated between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and East Midlands Airport starting Monday 27 October.

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, operates six 777F aircraft. Its facility at Zayed International Airport is equipped to handle more than one million tons of cargo annually. Since its founding in 2004, Etihad Cargo has grown rapidly to become one of the world’s leading air freight companies, offering customers a diverse range of products and services through an extensive global network of chartered and scheduled operations.

Etihad Cargo follows an abundance of new cargo operators who have chosen East Midlands Airport as the best gateway to the UK. In May, Air Central became the first China-based airline to fly to the East Midlands, on behalf of Chinese logistics company Yun Express. Since then, Atlas Airlines, Ethiopian Cargo Company, and Saudi Cargo Company have started operating flights between China and the United Kingdom via East Midlands Airport.

This comes in addition to British airline One Air shifting its operations from Heathrow to the East Midlands last year, increasing its fleet to four aircraft, including a new 777F which began operating new scheduled services last month, with another aircraft scheduled to arrive before the end of the year, bringing the total to five aircraft.

The airport witnessed a boom in cargo activity between May and July this year, with a 17.4 percent growth in volumes compared to the previous year. It has reconfigured its yards to increase the number of parking spaces available for cargo aircraft to help handle the additional demand. Both FedEx and ground handling company Swissport recently announced improvements to their on-site facilities to increase capacity.

Meanwhile, East Midlands Airport has also announced long-term growth plans which include developing four key sites adjacent to the runway for cargo operations, to meet an expected 54 per cent increase in demand over the next 20 years. The plan will be pushed forward by the airport’s newly appointed commercial director, Adam Andrews.

He said: “I am delighted that Etihad Cargo is announcing regular flights to East Midlands Airport – our strategic central location and ease of operation make us a great choice for quick access to all parts of the UK.

“This new operator is another positive sign of East Midlands Airport’s success as the UK’s number one express freight airport, with the potential to grow.”

Stanislas Brun, Etihad Airways’ Chief Cargo Officer, added: “Introducing a new cargo service to East Midlands Airport is an important step for Etihad Cargo as we continue to expand our global footprint.

“As the UK’s main hub for air freight and cargo operations with direct access to major distribution networks for both domestic and European deliveries, this route allows for fast delivery times and efficient customs handling. Above all, it empowers the people and companies behind every shipment, helping them build connections that transcend borders.”