Etihad Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, has launched the Etihad Kabayan Box – a dedicated personal freight service for the 500,000-strong Filipino expatriate community living in UAE.

Available from today, the new service will allow Filipinos to send up to 20 kilos for Dh150 and up to 50 kilos for Dh350 by air to the capital of the Philippines, Manila. While the service is for personal belongings only, there is no restriction on the number of Etihad Kabayan boxes that may be booked.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ chief strategy and planning officer, said: “Etihad Airways flies twice daily from Abu Dhabi to Manila and the new service is ideally suited to the Filipino expatriate community based in the UAE who want to take more luggage with them to their home country, or send gifts to family and friends in the Philippines.”

“In that regard, it’s time to say good-bye to sending boxes home by sea several months in advance. Our new Etihad Kabayan Box is fast, reliable and offers great value.”

“The new service is also extremely flexible, meaning Filipinos can accompany their own Etihad Kabayan Boxes if they are already booked on a scheduled Etihad Airways flight to Manila or they can opt to send the boxes unaccompanied,” he added.

Grace Relucio Princesa, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, said: “We welcome Etihad Airways' entry into the balikbayan box market.  More players mean more options. The balikbayan box is one way of keeping families close and I am sure Etihad Airways will be able to provide this service at a very competitive rate.”

Customers who wish to use the new service can bring the contents they want to send by Etihad Kabayan Box to four agency partners across the UAE. The Abu Dhabi-based agency partners are the Omeir Travel Agency and the Abu Dhabi Cargo Company.

In Dubai, the service will be handled by the Asia Express Shipping Agency and Cargo Partners.

Agency partners will provide customers with Etihad Kabayan Boxes, the boxes and their contents will be weighed on-site, sealed, and the appropriate fees can be paid directly.

For customers wishing to take their Etihad Kabayan Box on their scheduled flight to Manila, Etihad Cargo recommends delivery of the box to the agency partner or to export counter at the Abu Dhabi Cargo Terminal, close to Abu Dhabi International Airport at least one day in advance. – TradeArabia News Service