Trinity, Etihad Cargo to launch second cargo service to Middle East

The new airfreight service aims to facilitate textile trade between Ohio and Colombo, Sri Lanka; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and East Midland, U.K., according tot a statement from the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.    Air cargo carrier Trinity Logistics USA and Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Cargo are adding a second weekly cargo service out of Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority said in a statement.
   The new route will call Colombo, Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, while the first route will continue to call the two Middle Eastern cities as well as East Midlands in the United Kingdom.
   The route was added to facilitate the movement of textiles and apparel from Sri Lanka for retailers in the U.S. and to support the U.S. export growth to Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The agreement is valued at $40 million and service to Colombo is scheduled to begin May 12, according to the airport authority. 
   “Our long-term partnered service with Etihad has proven to be very successful with our clients,” said David Pereira, president of Trinity Logistics.
   According to Etihad Cargo Senior Vice President David Kerr, two new major customers have been secured for the second frequency and their business will make a significant impact on the export side.
   Etihad Cargo operates Boeing 777F aircraft on the original weekly flights to Colombo and Abu Dhabi, which was was first started with New York-based Trinity Logistics in the summer of 2016, according to the airport authority.