Abu dhabi: Etihad Airways signed three strategic agreements at the Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) 2026 event this week, enhancing its involvement in UAE trade, cargo logistics, and industrial growth through partnerships focused on supply chains, local procurement, and SME development.
According to Emirates News Agency, Etihad generates AED29 billion in annual service export revenue through its global operations and contributes more than AED130 billion in economic impact across tourism, trade, supply chain, and employment in the UAE. With over 13,000 UAE-based employees and a global network spanning more than 100 destinations, Etihad continues to expand its role as a significant contributor to the UAE economy through trade, tourism, cargo, and industrial partnerships.
The first agreement, signed on Monday 4th May, is a Global Air Carrier Services Agreement between Etihad Cargo and EDGE Group, the UAE's advanced technology and defense conglomerate. Under this agreement, EDGE will consolidate airfreight operations across its portfolio of 35 entities through Etihad's cargo network, thereby strengthening local logistics capability while supporting EDGE's global expansion.
In 2025, Etihad Cargo managed goods valued at over AED120 billion, linking UAE industries to global supply chains across sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and perishables. On Wednesday 6th May, Etihad signed two additional agreements; one renewing Etihad's participation in the UAE's In-Country Value (ICV) Programme with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), and another partnering with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development to support the Abu Dhabi SME Champion Programme.
The Khalifa Fund agreement aims to support growth-stage UAE businesses in developing the necessary capabilities to compete for Etihad supply-chain opportunities and meet aviation industry standards. These agreements build on Etihad's expanding contribution to the UAE's industrial and economic ecosystem. Through its Alwatani Local Content Programme, Etihad directed AED8.3 billion to ICV-certified suppliers in 2025, engaging over 1,200 ICV-certified companies across its supply chain, including approximately 900 SMEs. The airline has also eliminated structural barriers for smaller enterprises, such as registration fees and bond requirements.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, stated, "Etihad is Abu Dhabi's largest service exporter, delivering aviation and logistics services to markets around the world. That generates real economic value here in the UAE - supporting jobs, trade, tourism, and industrial growth. These agreements strengthen that impact further by deepening local partnerships, expanding supply-chain capability, and creating new opportunities for UAE businesses to grow internationally."
Collectively, the agreements reinforce Etihad's role as a contributor to the UAE's economic diversification and industrial growth agenda, supporting local suppliers, enabling trade, and strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a global center for aviation, trade, and logistics.