Etihad's cargo unit transports rare manuscripts

The cargo unit of Etihad Airways has transported more than 100 historic manuscripts - including works by Beethoven, Michelangelo and Dickens - from Germany to Australia. The treasures, which span 1,000 years of history, feature rare letters, sketches, documents and priceless musical scores were moved from Berlin's State Library to the National Library of Australia (NLA) in Canberra. The cargo included handwritten works by Erasmus, Bach, Beethoven, Curie, Dante, Darwin, Dickens, Einstein, Galileo, Kafka, Machiavelli, Luther, Mozart, Michelangelo, Napoleon, Newton and Nightingale. The masterpieces will be part of an exhibition which will go on display in Canberra from November 26. Air freighted from Germany to Australia on board Etihad Airways flights, the priceless manuscripts were specially packed in tailor-made, humidity-controlled cargo crates, the airline said in a statement. Art handlers accompanied the precious cargo on the flights. Roy Kinnear, senior vice president Cargo at Etihad Airways, said, "This successful logistics operation further proves Etihad Airways' ability to provide premium and secure logistical solutions for our partners and customers." Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, director-general of the National Library of Australia, added: "We are full of praise for the way Etihad Airways handled every aspect of this logistics exercise, and are extremely grateful to them for playing a central role in this cultural exchange between Germany and Australia." More than 100,000 visitors are expected to visit the Canberra exhibition. Once it ends, Etihad Airways will freight the precious cargo back to the Berlin State Library.