Etihad Crystal Cargo launches Baghdad flights

Etihad Crystal Cargo has announced it is to launch a twice weekly service from its Abu Dhabi hub to the Iraqi capital city Baghdad.

The flirst flight is pegged for September 1 and will operatre on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Flying the route will be an A300-600F with a 42-tonne payload.

Baghdad is Etihad’s first cargo-only destination in the Middle East region and this is the first time in its history that the airline has operated any services to Iraq.

Des Vertannes, executive vice president cargo said: “We are very proud to launch Etihad’s first services to Baghdad and assist in the country’s reconstruction.

“Trade and business ties between the UAE and Iraq continue to grow and we look forward to building a strong customer base in the country, which is widely considered one of the region’s fastest growing markets.”