UAE's Etihad Airways and and Henan Province Airport Group agreed to establish a strategic partnership to strengthen aviation ties between the UAE and China.
This follows the signing of a virtual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the virtual "Zhengzhou Week" event hosted by Expo 2020 Dubai China Pavilion starting from 27 December 2021, state news agency WAM reported.
The MOU highlights Etihad’s plans for potential operation of regular cargo services between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) to create the "Air Silk Road" between Henan Province and the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The MOU also outlines cooperation between the two parties to build the CGO airport into an air freight hub in the region, and to diversify product sales and cargo distribution channels at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport.
Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales and Cargo, Etihad Airways said: "Etihad is very excited to see the potential to further expand its cargo footprint in China, and to create the ‘Air Silk Road’ between the emirate and Central China together with Henan Province Airport Group."
"This will greatly improve the diversification of product sales and cargo distribution channels in this region and strengthen economic and trade links between the UAE and China, and beyond"
For his part, Kang Xingzhen, Chairman of Henan Airport Group Co. Ltd. complimented the cooperation: "Today, we are very pleased to sign the MoU with Etihad Airways, a key airline player in the Middle East region with extensive network to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, to explore various opportunities under the ‘Air Silk Road’ aviation initiative inspired by the China-proposed ‘Belt and Road Initiative’.
