Atlas Air to Provide Dedicated Freighters for Etihad Airways and DSV

Etihad Airways and DSV have partnered with Atlas Air to provide dedicated freighter aircraft and crews for their airfreight requirements. Etihad will operate a Boeing 777 freighter between Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Madrid starting in August, while DSV has signed a long-term charter agreement with Atlas Air for a Boeing 777-200 freighter. Both airlines have a history of working with Atlas Air, which operates a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters. The new partnerships will help scale capacity and extend their global reach.

Atlas Air Worldwide has announced two significant long-term partnerships to enhance its freighter fleet and expand its global reach. The company has signed agreements with Etihad Airways and DSV to operate dedicated Boeing 777 freighters for their airfreight requirements.

Etihad Airways, through its cargo arm Etihad Cargo, will operate a Boeing 777 freighter between Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, and Madrid starting in August 2025. This move is part of a broader strategy to maintain momentum and provide complete network connectivity, as stated by Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer of Etihad Airways [1]. The Boeing 777 Freighter, known for its high reliability and fuel efficiency, will serve important locations in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, further enhancing Etihad's cargo services.

DSV, one of the world's largest airfreight forwarders, has also signed a long-term charter agreement with Atlas Air for a Boeing 777-200 freighter. The aircraft will operate exclusively on behalf of DSV, providing the company with control over freight capacity and access to Atlas Air's extensive air traffic rights and operational flexibility. The agreement will support DSV across Asia, Europe, and the United States, including a critical link between DSV's hub in Huntsville, Alabama (HSV), and Luxembourg (LUX) [2]. This new program will enhance DSV's network across major international markets, combining extended-range capability and high payload with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Atlas Air Worldwide, a leading global provider of outsourced aviation logistics, operates a fleet of Boeing 747 freighters and now includes the Boeing 777 Freighter in its portfolio. The company's CEO, Michael Steen, highlighted the strategic value these partnerships bring to the global supply chain. "With our industry-leading fleet of widebody freighters and deep operating expertise, Atlas Air is proud to be a trusted partner of choice," said Steen [1].

These partnerships demonstrate Atlas Air's commitment to scaling capacity and extending its global reach. The Boeing 777 Freighter, with a maximum payload of 103 tons and a range of 4,970 nautical miles (9,200 km), is the longest-range and most capable twin-engine freighter in operation. Its high reliability, fuel efficiency, and low maintenance and operating costs make it an attractive addition to Atlas Air's fleet [2].

References:
[1] https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/atlas-air-etihad-cargo-partner-777f-global-routes
[2] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/08/28/3141076/34720/en/Atlas-Air-and-DSV-Expand-Strategic-Partnership-with-New-Long-Term-Dedicated-Freighter-Agreement.html