Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Crystal Cargo has started a new cargo route to Almaty in Kazakhstan.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is the cargo division of Etihad Airways. The service will begin on 28 July using an Airbus A330 aircraft with a payload of 59 metric tonnes.

“Our operations to Almaty will reinforce Etihad’s position in the Kazakh market, adding to our three weekly passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Almaty,” says Roy Kinnear, senior vice-president of Etihad Crystal Cargo. “We look forward to strengthening the trade ties between the UAE and Kazakhstan through this new cargo route.”

Etihad Crystal Cargo currently operates to 48 destinations worldwide. Its fleet comprises one Boeing 777 freighter, two Airbus A330s, two Airbus A300s and two McDonnell Douglas MD11s.