Etihad, Avianca partner on Bogotá-Europe service

A freighter flight will operate twice weekly from Milan, Italy, to Bogotá, Colombia, and from Bogotá to Amsterdam.    Etihad Cargo, the freighter division of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, will partner with Avianca Cargo, the cargo division of Avianca in Colombia, through an interline agreement to operate a freighter flight from Milan’s Malpensa Airport, Italy, to Bogotá, Colombia, and from Bogotá to Amsterdam.
   The new service will operate twice weekly with a Boeing 747-400 freighter, starting Nov. 11. The service is expected to transport various raw materials, perishables, machinery parts, equipment, industrial consumables, and fashion goods between South America and Europe. 
   Etihad Cargo will link the service at Milan with Abu Dhabi through its weekly flights between the two cities. In addition, it will feed traffic from markets across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
   “Italy is the third largest cargo market in Europe, and has been a key focus area for Etihad Cargo since 2007, when we inaugurated our first service to the country,” said Kevin Knight, the airline’s chief strategy and planning officer, in a statement. “Demand has been strong and our operations have since expanded to include freighter and passenger flights to Milan, and a daily passenger service between Rome and Abu Dhabi launched in July this year.”
   Avianca Cargo will provide cargo services through its Bogotá hub at El Dorado International Airport with its passengers and cargo flights to and from most of the countries in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
   “This is a valuable opportunity to expand Avianca Cargo’s network, especially in moving perishable goods from the Americas that are highly demanded in Europe,” said Victor Mejia, cargo vice president for Avianca.