
Etihad Cargo supports global flower movements for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day
Etihad Cargo has transported over 500 tonnes of fresh flowers from Nairobi to Europe for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, leveraging its IATA CEIV-certified FreshForward product to ensure pristine delivery.
The carrier operated four dedicated flower charters for Valentine's Day and facilitates the export of approximately 95 tonnes of flowers weekly from Kenya via passenger and freighter services.
In addition to flowers, Etihad Cargo supports the export of perishables such as fruits, vegetables, and meat from Africa, using advanced cool chain technologies to maintain freshness and quality.
Etihad Cargo will expand its African network in 2025 with new routes to Algiers, Tunis, and El Alamein, increasing bellyhold capacity and strengthening connectivity across key markets.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has demonstrated its commitment to supporting global trade with the transport of over 500 tonnes of fresh flowers from Nairobi, Kenya, to key markets in Europe for Valentine's Day and European Mother's Day. Leveraging its state-of-the-art cool chain solutions, including its IATA CEIV-certified FreshForward product, Etihad Cargo has ensured the efficient delivery of some of the world's most sought-after blooms.
Kenya is one of the largest exporters of cut flowers globally, and Etihad Cargo has played a key role in meeting the heightened demand for flowers during peak seasons. Ahead of Valentine's Day, the carrier operated four dedicated flower charters, moving 510 tonnes of flowers from Nairobi to destinations across Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, with four weekly flights to Nairobi, including three passenger flights offering bellyhold capacity and one dedicated freighter service, Etihad Cargo facilitates the export of approximately 95 tonnes of flowers from Kenya every week, ensuring consistent support for the global floriculture industry.
Among the blooms transported are premium big-head roses, including High and Peace, Cappuccino, Cabaret, Topaz and Roseberry, as well as mixed selections tailored to meet the preferences of European markets. These flowers are expertly handled, with temperatures maintained between 2–8°C during transit, ensuring their freshness upon arrival. Specialised thermal covers and real-time IoT sensors further ensure the integrity of the shipments, mitigating risks and safeguarding the flowers' delicate nature.
Etihad Cargo is also actively supporting the export of other perishables from Africa via its FreshForward product. From Nairobi, the carrier transports a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, contributing to Kenya's position as a leading exporter of agricultural goods. In South Africa, Etihad Cargo facilitates the movement of approximately 72 tonnes of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat to the UAE and beyond every month, supporting the country's thriving agricultural and livestock sectors. These shipments benefit from the same advanced cool chain technologies that ensure optimal freshness and quality throughout their journey.
Stanislas Brun, Vice President Cargo at Etihad Cargo, commented: "Etihad Cargo is proud to support the floriculture industry, which plays a vital role in connecting producers in Africa with consumers worldwide. The demand for flowers peaks during celebrations such as Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, and Etihad Cargo's FreshForward product is designed to provide world-class cool chain solutions, ensuring flowers arrive fresh and vibrant. Through Etihad Cargo's extensive network, advanced facilities, and dedicated expertise, the carrier is committed to connecting key markets and supporting the growth of global trade."
Etihad Cargo's IATA CEIV-certified FreshForward product ensures that flowers and other perishable goods benefit from state-of-the-art cool chain infrastructure at the carrier's Abu Dhabi hub. The facility features temperature-controlled storage and advanced technologies, such as IoT-enabled sensors and predictive analytics, enabling proactive risk management and maintaining optimal conditions throughout the supply chain.
While Valentine's Day saw a surge in flower shipments, the carrier is also gearing up to support the upcoming European Mother's Day, with flowers continuing to be exported from Nairobi and beyond. The carrier's extensive network of over 85 destinations, combined with 41 passenger flights across Africa and two weekly freighter services to Nairobi and Johannesburg, ensures the carrier can meet the needs of its African customers and partners.
In 2025, Etihad Cargo is set to expand its African network with the launch of new passenger routes to Algiers, Tunis, and El Alamein. These new destinations will increase bellyhold capacity, boost connectivity across the continent and support the growing demand for cargo services between Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
About Etihad Cargo:
Etihad Cargo is the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways. Since its establishment in 2004, Etihad Cargo has grown rapidly to become one of the leading air cargo carriers in the world, offering customers a range of cargo products and services to five major continents. Its hub in Abu Dhabi is strategically located at the centre of the world's busiest trade lanes, providing an integral link between Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and Africa.
In addition to general cargo, Etihad Cargo offers a wide range of specialty products including live animals, dangerous goods, valuables and vulnerables, personal effects, as well as its market leading cold chain products (the latter holding IATA's stringent Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators certifications for both Pharmaceutical and Perishables Logistics, as well as Live Animals Logistics).
For more information, please visit www.etihadcargo.com
Media Contacts:
Duty Media Officer, Etihad Airways
Email: dutymediaofficer@etihad.ae
Kimberley Bostock, IHC (Etihad Cargo)
Email: kimberley@ih-c.com
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Business
5 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Etihad Airways expands Karachi flight routes
Etihad Airways will operate four daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Karachi from October 1, 2025, following the airline's decision to expand services to Pakistan's commercial centre. The UAE carrier will provide 28 weekly services on the Abu Dhabi-Karachi route, with tickets now available for purchase. The expansion forms part of Etihad's strategy to offer passengers more travel options and connectivity. The airline has scheduled departure and arrival times to provide passengers with convenience and connections across its network, which spans the UAE, Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. Etihad's Pakistan operations will total 60 weekly flights following the Karachi expansion. The increase comes after the airline announced new services to Peshawar, which begin on September 29, strengthening air links between Pakistan and Abu Dhabi.


What's On
10 hours ago
- What's On
10 of the best restaurants in Dubai that will make you feel like you're on holiday
When 'away' is just a table away… Summer is here. You want out but can't go far. You didn't book a flight. You stayed. But that doesn't mean you want to feel stuck. Maybe you're just a little homesick – for a pace, a place, a feeling. So you start choosing spots that feel slightly off the map – not literally, but figuratively. A little quieter, a little slower. That kind of energy where lunch turns into golden hour and 'one glass' becomes five. It's not Greece, or Italy, or Thailand, or Brazil – but it almost could be. You get the point. Here are 10 of the best restaurants in Dubai to go to when you want out, but you're staying in. Click through the gallery 3 of 12 If you love Greece, or never made it but think about going every summer, Sirene by GAIA is where you want to go for lunch, dinner, or even a long, beach day. It's all white stone, sun-faded neutrals, and just enough bougainvillea to feel like a postcard. The dips are the kind you keep digging bread into. The seafood looks like art and tastes even better. The pasta feels like it's been made at home, with love. And every table looks out to sea. Hands down, a ten out of ten kind of spot. Sirene by Gaia, J1 Beach, daily 10am to 1am. Tel: (0)4 834 0303. @sirene_dxb At Mirabelle, it's all blue waters, anchored boats, and that quiet kind of luxury you find along the Mediterranean. Set by the water at the new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, it's the kind of place where a leisurely lunch easily flows into sunset drinks. Laid-back yet polished just right, Mirabelle almost makes you forget you're still in the city. Inspired by the Cote d'Azur, the vibe is quietly chic and relaxed, what's not to love? Mirabelle, ground floor, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Jumeirah 3. Tel: 800 323232. If you've ever spent a summer on the Italian coast, or wished you had, Gigi Rigolatto brings the mood to Dubai's J1 Beach. The setting is lush and inviting, with Mediterranean gardens, a serene pool, a private beach, and even a boutique. Inside, the restaurant is summery, lounge-y, with high red brick archways and stunning olive trees. If that sounds like your kind of vibe, Gigi captures the essence of Italian coastal living. Gigi Rigolatto, J1 Beach. Tel: (0)4 558 2067 @gigi_beach_dubai Hidden in a pocket of jungle-like calm, The Farm feels like it shouldn't exist in Dubai, but that's the charm. It's all glass walls, tropical plants, and soft quiet in the middle of Al Barari. Water streams run through endless greenery, and the menu drifts from Thai to Mediterranean for those who like options. It's pretty, it's peaceful, and it feels like a full reset. The Farm, Al Barari, daily 7.30am to 10.30pm. Tel: (0)4 886 6223. Flamingo Room is luxury in the form of art, where rich, African-inspired design meets fine dining. Hand-blown baobab glass installations hang alongside vintage gold mirrors, casting a warm, textured glow throughout the space. The menu matches the vibe with rich seafood highlights like prawns au gratin and calamari Mozambique, plus a cornflake chicken schnitzel from their business lunch selection. A solid choice for anyone craving this kind of scene. Flamingo Room by tashas, Jumeirah al Naseem, Madinat Jumeirah. 12pm to 4pm and 7pm to 1am daily. Tel:(0)4 244 7278. Sufret Maryam is for anyone homesick for the Levant, a place rooted deeply in warmth and tradition. Walking in feels like stepping into an authentic Levantine home, full of love and heart. Palestinian, Michelin-awarded Chef Salam Dakkak, who was also awarded Chef of the Year at the What's On Dubai Awards 2025 , brings passion, creativity, and skill to every dish. The food here is next level. If Levantine cuisine and the feeling of home are your vibe, Sufret Maryam should be at the top of your list. Sufret Maryam, Wasl 51, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. @sufretmaryam Tucked along the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, Pai Thai is well worth the boat ride. Quiet yet atmospheric, it's a proper Thai spot that stays true to its roots, rich green curry, delicate dumplings, deep-fried prawns in red curry sauce, and mango sticky rice that's almost too pretty to eat. The setting hits the sweet spot: warm lighting, dark wood, and just enough buzz to feel alive. If you're craving Thai (and spicy) food in a holiday-like setting, Pai Thai is your scene. Pai Thai, Jumeirah Al Qasr. @paithaidubai Nobu needs no introduction. After 14 years at The Avenues in Atlantis The Palm, the world-famous Japanese hotspot has moved to an even more iconic location, right at the top of the resort on the 22nd floor. Taking over what was once The Royal Bridge Suite, the new space is bigger, sleeker, and comes with the ocean in full view. Think stunning sights of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf, best enjoyed from the terrace with a plate of crispy rice and a perfectly mixed cocktail in hand. Nobu Dubai, Atlantis The Palm, 22nd floor, The Palm Jumeirah. Tel: (0)4 426 0760. @nobudubai If you've ever dreamt of spending a slow afternoon somewhere along the French Riviera, this is as close as it gets in Dubai. Maison De La Plage sits right on the sand at Palm West Beach and has that effortless kind of beauty, soft linen tones, leafy palms, and a pool that almost glows. You can start your day stretched out on a daybed, order a glass of rose and crispy Calamri in the sun, and then wander inside for a lazy lunch of Lobster linguine or a crisp Nicoise. Chef Izu's behind it, so the food speaks for itself. It's relaxed, stylish, and hard to leave once you've settled in. Maison De La Plage, Palm West Beach, Palm Jumeirah, Tel: (0)4 452 3344. @maisondelaplage_ Located on the sixth floor of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, Tasca is a one-Michelin-starred gem from renowned Portuguese chef Jose Avillez. Known for his Michelin-starred Belcanto in Portugal, Tasca is his first international venture, bringing authentic Portuguese flavours with a modern twist to Dubai. The menu is rich in character, offering flavourful dishes, perfectly complemented by the largest selection of Portuguese wines in the city and an enticing range of craft cocktails. With stunning views of both Dubai's skyline and the Arabian Gulf, the restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining on a terrace that includes an infinity pool. For added ambiance, enjoy live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Tasca by Jose Avillez, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Jumeirah Beach Rd, Jumeirah, Jumeirah 1. @tascadubai > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in


Gulf Business
10 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Etihad increases flights to Karachi: Here's what travellers need to know
Image credit: WAM/Website Etihad has increased its flight frequencies to Karachi, Pakistan, with tickets now available. This expansion reflects the airline's ongoing commitment to offering guests more travel options and improved connectivity. Starting October 1, 2025, Etihad will operate four daily flights on the Abu Dhabi–Karachi route, providing a total of 28 nonstop services per week to Pakistan's economic hub, Read- The enhanced schedule, with optimised departure and arrival times, is designed to offer maximum convenience and seamless connectivity across Etihad's growing global network. This includes the UAE, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, and North America. With this update, Etihad will operate 60 weekly flights to Pakistan. This move follows the recent announcement of new flights to Peshawar, set to launch on September 29, further strengthening air links between Pakistan and Abu Dhabi.