Category Archives: Astral Aviation

Etihad Cargo signs MOU with Astral Aviation to expand African network

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Astral Aviation Ltd to expand the partnership between the two parties and enhance the cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi, further growing Etihad Cargo’s reach into the African market.

Through the comprehensive MoU, Etihad Cargo’s customers will benefit from additional cargo capacity out of Nairobi via the introduction of additional services from Nairobi to Etihad Cargo’s hub in Abu Dhabi from April 1, 2023.

The expansion of the partnership between Etihad Cargo and Astral Aviation will further enhance Etihad Cargo’s capabilities in the African market. In 2021, the carrier signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Astral Aviation to provide reliable and cost-effective air freight solutions for the transport of pharmaceuticals across the continent. The SLA was Etihad Cargo’s first Pharma Interline agreement and ensured the carrier’s partners’ full compliance with latest IATA Pharma and GDP regulations and standards.

This latest agreement builds on Astral Aviation’s expanding partnership with Abu Dhabi, which will see Astral Aviation operating more flights to the UAE’s capital, supported by Etihad Cargo. 

The agreement will see Astral Aviation and Etihad Cargo sharing up to 50 percent of all available capacity on the new Nairobi-Abu Dhabi-Nairobi flights, increasing the capacity Etihad Cargo offers air cargo and air mail customers. Via Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub, the carrier’s global network will offer connectivity to destinations around the world. Etihad Cargo will utilise its expansive road feeder service network to transport cargo arriving in Abu Dhabi from Nairobi to destinations throughout the UAE and other offline stations.

Astral Aviation flies a reliable schedule network to 20 destinations and a charter network to 50 destinations from its Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg and Liege Hubs, Astral flies to more destinations then any African carrier.

Astral operates fleet of B747-400F, B767-200F, B757-200F, B727F, DC-9F and F50F,

Astral is the only African carrier with a diverse-fleet from 7 tons to 110 tons.

Top Copyright Photo: Astral Aviation (Air Atlanta Icelandic) Boeing 747-48EF TF-AMU (msn 27603) LGG (Rainer Bexten). Image: 951189.

Astral Aviation aircraft photo gallery: