Bangkok--30 May--Total Quality PR Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, has been given the privileged role of shipping more than 180 Pablo Picasso masterpieces from Paris to Abu Dhabi ahead of the opening of the world renowned artist’s exhibition in the UAE’s capital city. The priceless collection has been flown over in several shipments from the Mus?e National Picasso in the French capital and will be exhibited from 27 May to 4 September at Gallery One in the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi. Des Vertannes, Etihad Crystal Cargo’s executive vice president, said: “Etihad Crystal Cargo regularly handles highly sensitive, perishable and fragile items but this collection of Picasso masterpieces has to be one of the most exciting ever and we are very proud to have played a pivotal part in bringing this historic exhibition to Abu Dhabi.” Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the selection of works will be the first major Picasso exhibition ever mounted in the Middle East. A total of 186 works will be shown, including paintings, sculptures and works on paper, beginning with Picasso’s Blue Period Self-Portrait of 1901 and concluding with Portrait of the Young Painter (1972), made only months before his death. About Etihad Crystal Cargo Etihad Crystal Cargo operates a fleet of three freighter aircraft which includes two Airbus A300-600s and an MD 11. In addition to offering belly hold capacity on scheduled Etihad Airways flights, Etihad Crsytal cargo also offers freighter-only services to Lagos, Colombo, Chennai, Frankfurt Haan, Khartoum, Kolkata, Milan, Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Zheng Zhou. About Etihad Airways Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad offers flights to 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and Australia. For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: Tel: 02 253 0099 or visit www.etihadairways.com For more information as well as pictures, please contact: Tom Van Blarcom / Ruthaiwan Tanwongwan Total Quality PR (Thailand) Co., Ltd Tel. 02 260 5820 Fax 02 260 5847 — 8 E-mail: [email protected]