The two Belgian Malinois dogs are now undergoing advanced integration training alongside park rangers. Since arriving in Zimbabwe, Vega and Kuda, part of the park’s first specialist conservation K9 team, have participated in more than 185 hours of practical training with six specialist K9 handlers. In just over a month, the dogs have completed more than 60 human-scent tracking exercises and have consistently demonstrated their capabilities to track illegal poaching activity. The first phase of the programme has also delivered tangible outcomes including the implementation of welfare and Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for the dogs providing a sustainable operating framework for the K9 unit.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “At Emirates SkyCargo, we believe that the protection of wildlife is a core responsibility and we are delighted to partner with Dogs 4 Wildlife to support their mission to protect endangered ecosystems. Transporting live animals by air requires the highest standards of safety, precision and care and we are proud to leverage Emirates SkyCargo’s world-class handling expertise and infrastructure to transport Vega and Kuda from the UK to Zimbabwe on our flights. We are sure that the dogs will make a strong contribution, working in the front lines protecting the wildlife of Matusadona National Park.”

Emirates SkyCargo is deeply committed to protecting wildlife and takes a zero-tolerance approach to illegal wildlife trafficking. The carrier has placed a total ban on the transportation of hunting trophies and has trained its global frontline teams to identify, report and respond to potential wildlife trafficking risks. Emirates is one of the founding signatories of the Buckingham Palace Declaration, working with United for Wildlife to contribute to the industry-wide efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.

Emirates’ Illegal Wildlife Trafficking Awareness Workshop in Dubai

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, Emirates recently convened a multi-stakeholder workshop in Dubai focused on raising awareness of Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and strengthening operational coordination across the aviation ecosystem. The interactive workshop brought together representatives from across the Emirates Group and key UAE authorities and other stakeholders including the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, Dubai Customs, Dubai Police, Dubai Airports, Al Ain Municipality and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Through real-world case studies and scenario-based discussions, participants examined approaches to early detection, escalation procedures, cross-entity coordination, animal welfare and biosecurity considerations. The initiative reinforces Emirates' commitment to enhancing industry collaboration, strengthening frontline preparedness, and supporting collective efforts to prevent wildlife trafficking through Dubai.

Dubai/ London 03 August 2026- Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, is flying the best of British exports across diverse sectors from delicate seasonal produce to high-performance engineering and lifesaving pharmaceuticals on its flights. The air cargo carrier transported over 57,000 tonnes of exports from the UK during FY 2025-26 to the rest of its global network, an increase of 11% from the previous year (FY 2024-25).  Between April and June 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has seen exports from the UK growing at 7% when compared to the same period last year.

Khawla Abdulla, VP Cargo Commercial Europe, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “The strong growth in exports from the UK reflects the increasing importance of fast, reliable and globally connected logistics networks in enabling international trade. Emirates SkyCargo plays a vital role in linking businesses across UK and Europe with high-growth markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australasia, providing seamless access to customers around the world. By bridging UK’s regional production centres directly to our expanding global network via our hub in Dubai and through our specialised cargo solutions, we continue to strengthen the flow of trade supporting industries ranging from life sciences and aerospace to perishables and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, we ensure that customers around the world have rapid access to premium international products. As demand continues to grow, Emirates SkyCargo remains committed to connecting businesses with opportunities worldwide.”

Building on its strong performance, Emirates SkyCargo is supporting continued growth in UK exports, delivering the best of UK innovation globally with particular focus on the aerospace, life sciences and perishables exports. The cargo carrier offers wide body cargo connectivity on over 140 weekly flights from eight UK gateways including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted. 

Aerospace and Advanced Technology

One of the global leaders in the aerospace industry, the UK remains at the forefront of driving new technologies and innovations. Between January and June 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has transported over 570 tonnes of aircraft parts and aerospace components from the UK to Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Emirates SkyCargo’s specialised product in the Aerospace and Engineering vertical, AOG, grew by more than 300% year-on-year between Jan and June 2026, highlighting the carrier’s ability to provide rapid and reliable logistics for critical aviation requirements. 

Beyond aerospace, Emirates SkyCargo has transported high-value technology infrastructure, including data centre equipment and server racks from the UK to global markets. 

The majority of high-tech equipment and aerospace components transported by Emirates SkyCargo originate from manufacturing and engineering clusters around Manchester and London, with these airports serving as key gateways linking these products directly to international markets.

With specialised handling capabilities and a global network, Emirates SkyCargo enables the seamless transport of critical technology assets to markets worldwide. 

Life Sciences

Emirates SkyCargo has also played a key role in transporting world-class life sciences products whether pharmaceuticals, biologics or clinical trial medications from the UK to other markets. In the first half of 2026, Emirates SkyCargo transported over 1600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals on its aircraft from the UK. The carrier also carried more than 26 tonnes of clinical trial medications from the market. 

Newcastle is among the carrier's key regional gateways for pharmaceutical exports, serving a major life sciences manufacturing base in the Northeast and enabling time and temperature sensitive products to connect rapidly with markets worldwide. 

With its modern fleet, GDP certified infrastructure as well as specialised multi-tier offerings for time and temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals, Emirates SkyCargo continues to be an industry leader in the global movement of pharmaceuticals by air. 

Food & Perishables

Over the first half of 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has been a key enabler of exports for British farms and food producers. The carrier facilitated the exports of specialty food from the UK, including more than 1500 tonnes of Scottish Shellfish as well as over 1200 tonnes of smoked salmon to international markets around the world. Much of the Scottish seafood transported by Emirates SkyCargo is shipped directly from Glasgow and Edinburgh, enabling exporters to reach international markets faster and helping premium products arrive fresher to consumers around the world. 

Over 1000 tonnes of food items were flown from the UK to the UAE during this period- the equivalent of 10 fully loaded B777 freighter aircraft. 250 tonnes of strawberries and more than 150 tonnes of cheese were among some of the food items flown to Dubai. 

With Emirates Fresh, the carrier’s specialised product for perishables with three service levels designed for different handling requirements, Emirates SkyCargo ensures that items like fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat are protected from origin to destination. 

Supporting other verticals

In addition to the above verticals, Emirates SkyCargo also facilitated movement of premium automobiles manufactured in the UK and precious works of art to museums and collections around the world.  

Emirates Courier Express, Emirates SkyCargo’s  door to door cross-border delivery solution for businesses is also helping British businesses and retailers in fashion and other consumer goods and components reach global customers. 

Protecting wildlife

Over and above the movement of trade goods, Emirates SkyCargo also remains committed to the protection of wildlife and habitats around the world. Recently the carrier supported British charity Dogs 4 Wildlife to transport two conservation dogs trained in the UK to Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe. The dogs are working alongside rangers on the frontlines of the park protecting the wildlife of the park from illegal poaching activities. Emirates is one of the founding signatories of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. The airline is a global leader in the fight against trafficking and exploitation of wildlife.

 About Emirates SkyCargo

Emirates SkyCargo is an important facilitator of trade across international markets offering cargo capacity on Emirates’ fleet of over 280 aircraft including dedicated freighters. The cargo carrier has embarked on an ambitious programme of fleet and network expansion to keep up with global demand for air cargo capacity. Since March 2026, the airline has taken delivery of six new Boeing 777-F production freighters and its first Boeing 777-300ERSF converted from a passenger aircraft. Four additional Boeing 777-F production freighters and the second Boeing 777-300ERSF will join Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter fleet by the end of 2026. 

Customers can contact their local Emirates SkyCargo office or visit skycargo.com for more information on flights and services available to them.

However, unlike other dedicated freighters in Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet, A6-EBK, a Boeing 777-300ERSF, is not a factory produced freighter. Instead, it is a special freighter (SF) that has been converted from a Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft from Emirates’ fleet.

Transforming a passenger configured 777-300ER into a cargo only aircraft was not simply a matter of removing seats and adding cargo doors. It was a complex process spanning several months that redesigned the aircraft’s structure, systems and operating philosophy to meet the demands of cargo transport. While maintaining the aircraft’s original aerodynamic performance and structural integrity without compromising operational safety, the conversion introduced extensive modifications to the fuselage, floor structure, loading systems, avionics, environmental controls and other systems within the aircraft.

Fuselage Modifications

As a first step, the aircraft’s interiors including seats, overhead stowage, galleys and lavatories were completely removed.  This allowed the team to modify the interior of the aircraft to accommodate cargo pallets.

A key characteristic of a freighter aircraft is its ability to carry large cargo pallets and this required the installation of a large maindeck cargo door. One of the most visible changes in the entire conversion process, creating the opening for this door required significant structural reinforcement and replacement of large sections of the fuselage structure.

Next, a rigid barrier with the ability to absorb any impact up to nine times the force of gravity (9G) was fitted at the front of the main deck, consistent with regulatory and safety configurations in a production freighter.

Freighters often carry a limited number of support staff in addition to the crew on long haul missions, such as grooms accompanying thoroughbred racehorses. To support the crew and additional members, a crew rest area and supplementary seating were installed during the conversion.

The flight deck was also modified to accommodate additional controls for environmental and safety systems optimised for the transportation of cargo.

Flooring and Cargo Management

In order to support heavier cargo pallets in the maindeck of the aircraft as compared to passengers, the floor structure used for passenger transport was completely removed and replaced with reinforced floor beams and a higher-capacity floor structure capable of supporting concentrated loads from heavy pallets and cargo handling equipment.

The conversion process included installation of a complete cargo loading system consisting of powered rollers, locks and guides was installed permitting ground crews to move large cargo units efficiently through the aircraft and secure them for flight. Additionally, an advanced cargo monitoring system including smoke detection and fire suppression was installed.

Aircraft Systems

Emirates SkyCargo offers a specialised suite of products to transport time and temperature sensitive cargo including life-saving medications and bio-innovations. This needs temperatures inside the aircraft to be maintained a specified ranges, sometimes as low as 5 degrees Centigrade. During the conversion, the environmental control system of the passenger aircraft was adapted to monitor and control airflow, ventilation, and temperature to support sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals and perishables. Other electrical systems were also modified to support the transportation of cargo.

Safety Certification & Final Preparations

Last but not the least, the conversion needed to achieve regulatory approval to show that the process met strict requirements around compliance with safety standards covering structural strength, systems reliability, fire protection and flight performance. This was demonstrated through extensive documentation, ground tests and flight evaluations before the aircraft could start transporting cargo.

Finally, the aircraft also received a full repaint and application of the latest Emirates SkyCargo livery ahead of its first commercial flight for Emirates SkyCargo.

Emirates SkyCargo is a global facilitator of trade transporting cargo across more than 150 destinations across six continents. The air cargo carrier has been steadily expanding its fleet in 2026 with six Boeing 777-F production freighters already delivered since March 2026 in addition to the converted freighter. The carrier is slated to receive a further four Boeing 777-F production freighters and one additional converted freighter later this year. This expansion of capacity is allowing Emirates SkyCargo to provide further customer choice and flexibility as well as support critical global supply chains and trade lanes.

Watch a video showcasing how an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft is converted into a Special Freighter

Dubai, UAE, 30 June 2026- Emirates is marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its cargo fleet by becoming the first airline cargo carrier* to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger to freighter converted aircraft. The aircraft (A6-EBK) will enter commercial service with a flight from Hong Kong to Dubai carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo.

The converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF offers 100 tonnes of payload capacity and 811 m³ of cargo volume, representing a 25% increase in cargo volume over the Boeing 777-F production freighter. At 47 pallet positions, the converted aircraft also accommodates 10 additional pallet positions when compared with Boeing 777-F production freighter, making it ideal for transporting volumetric cargo such as e-commerce goods which currently constitute around 20% of global air cargo tonnage with further growth projected in the next few years.

Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President said: “The induction of the first converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF into operational service represents the next step in the expansion of our fleet and operational agility. We are optimising our fleet assets by converting older Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to meet the growing demand for air cargo capacity to transport goods rapidly across the world.

“Combined with our growing fleet of Boeing 777-F production freighters, we have already been able to scale our global freighter network from just over 40 destinations in February this year to 62 destinations currently and growing. We are providing our global customers with scalable cargo capacity and ultimate flexibility and connectivity when moving cargo to and through our hub in Dubai.”

Ambitious fleet and network expansion

The converted Boeing 777-300ERSF is the sixth new freighter, following five Boeing 777-F production freighters, to join Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet since March 2026. As part of its ambitious expansion strategy, Emirates SkyCargo will also be taking delivery of five additional Boeing 777-F aircraft as well as one additional converted Boeing 777-300ERSF by December 2026. Emirates SkyCargo will also be introducing three additional converted Boeing 777-ERSFs into its fleet in 2027.

Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet and network expansion reaffirm the carrier’s commitment to play a larger role in supporting global trade, linking new destinations with businesses, and deepening connectivity to key production hubs already on the carrier's global network spanning six continents.

*combination carrier

Emirates currently serves India with three weekly freighters – one to Mumbai and two to Ahmedabad – as well as bellyhold capacity in 167 passenger services to nine gateways. The new freighter service to Mumbai will launch on 4 March 2026, and connect Dubai, Singapore and India, while the Ahmedabad service will be a direct and dedicated freighter, and also launch in March. The airline expects to carry key commodities such as pharmaceuticals, fresh fruits, vegetables and other perishables as well as personal electronic devices on both freighters.

In addition to the freighters to India, Emirates SkyCargo will also deploy a dedicated weekly freighter to Dhaka, Bangladesh, from April 2026. This further expands the airline’s freighter network, reaffirming the burgeoning demand and Emirates SkyCargo’s longstanding commitment to the region.

“Our new freighter frequencies to India reflects both the strength of India’s trade corridors, and our long-term commitment to supporting them,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo. “India is a powerhouse of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, perishables and eCommerce and the demand for reliable and stable capacity continues to grow. These additional freighters bolster our existing operations, by offering more connectivity and capacity to ensure we continue to serve our customers in India and across the globe.”

As the third anniversary of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) nears, bilateral trade is booming, with India’s exports to the UAE growing faster than its overall export growth. Emirates SkyCargo supports the trade agreement, moving goods every week including 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals, 500 tonnes of perishables, a significant tonnage of garments, textiles and clothing and a growing number of personal electronics such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets. 

Beyond aircraft capacity, Emirates SkyCargo has built a vast trucking network, to reach more offline destinations across India. In 2025, over 1,000 Emirates SkyCargo trucks transported almost 5,500 tonnes of cargo across India, carrying shipments such as automotive and aircraft spare parts, clothing and textiles, machinery, tools, spices and even a satellite. The airline also deployed temperature-controlled reefer trucks to transport delicate pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. 

The airline recently added Coimbatore and Goa to its road network as offline stations, unlocking new opportunities for businesses in these cities and surrounding areas to access global markets, via Emirates SkyCargo. Coimbatore in particular is a thriving hub of manufacturing and is home to a large number of SMEs working in engineering, textiles, automotive and more, so this access significantly contributes to India’s export economy. 

Since starting operations to Mumbai and Delhi in 1985, Emirates SkyCargo has significantly scaled its network, and now serves nine cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkota, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. With the Cargo Open Sky policy for exports in India, the airline continues to grow its reach, strengthen outbound capabilities, and connect more primary and secondary cities to its well‑established global network. 

This week, Emirates SkyCargo has been participating in industry discussions and workshops at Air Cargo India, one of the industry’s premier events. In addition to a full schedule of meetings, networking events and media briefings, the airline’s leadership joined panel discussions alongside other industry leaders to explore the significant evolution in India’s logistics ecosystem over the last two years. Emirates SkyCargo was also named International Airline of the Year at the STAT Times International Awards for Excellence in Air Cargo, as voted for by the outlet’s international readers. The accolade, which Emirates SkyCargo received for the third consecutive year, is a testament to the airline’s commitment to facilitating the world’s rapidly changing supply chains.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, “In 2025, we built the runway for what comes next. We strengthened the core pillars of our business by expanding our network and innovating with our product portfolio and operations to deliver what our customers need today – and tomorrow. 2026 is set to be a pivotal year for our fleet expansion, with the expected delivery of up to 10 Boeing 777Fs by December, fuelling our next era of growth. This influx of capacity unlocks opportunities for network and scheduling expansions, offer more flexibility to scale our solutions and enable us to deliver even greater value across our global network.”

STRONGER FLEET, WIDER NETWORK, BIGGER IMPACT

At the start of the year, the first of Emirates SkyCargo’s Boeing 777Fs were delivered with another two in the following months, allowing the airline to retire older aircraft and deliver on its commitment to operate one of the youngest fleets in the sky. The fleet currently stands at 11 Boeing 777Fs and 5 wet-leased Boeing 747s. The first Emirates’ passenger aircraft entered the conversion programme, with the view to start operations as a fully-fledged freighter in 2026. By the end of next year, Emirates SkyCargo aims to operate a fleet of at least 21 freighters, adding significantly more cargo capacity to current operations. 

Delivering on its long-term vision to add more freighter destinations to its network, in 2025 the airline launched freighter services to eight new destinations: Copenhagen, Narita, Bangkok, Mumbai, Beirut, Conakry, Phnom Penh (KTI) and Hanoi, while high-volume destinations such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Johannesburg were better served with additional weekly frequencies. The recently launched Hanoi was swiftly bolstered to a four-weekly service, to cater to the demand. As of year’s end, Emirates SkyCargo reaches 42 global destinations across six continents with freighter services. 

Throughout 2025, Emirates SkyCargo strengthened its network of over 180 global interline partners, inking new agreements to expand its global footprint. In February, the airline signed with Africa-based Astral Aviation and then in April, with Southeast Asia’s Teleport, to create seamless connectivity into primary, secondary and tertiary airports in two regions that are burgeoning with trade opportunities. The airline continues to reinforce its existing strategic partnerships with global airlines such as Air Canada, United and Virgin Atlantic, to reach every corner of the globe.  

FUTURE-FIT OPERATIONS

Even as Emirates SkyCargo draws up plans for its all-new facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), it continued to invest in its current operations to deliver peak performance. The airline upgraded its on-road fleet by taking delivery of 40 Euro 6 trucks from MAN Trucks, bringing the latest low-emissions and driver-centric technology to the region. By Q1 2026, the fleet will be bolstered with the delivery of five hydrogen-powered trucks, marking a key milestone in the company’s gradual transition to alternate fuel vehicles.  

Exploring next-gen cargo delivery solutions, Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous will collaborate on the development and feasibility of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft for first and last mile delivery throughout 2026.    

The rise in digital bookings – coupled with the decline in manual bookings – continued to grow throughout the year, as more customers opted for seamless and efficient processes. By December 2025, almost 80% of all shipments on Emirates SkyCargo are booked digitally, driven predominately by eSkyCargo, and followed by the third-party digital marketplaces where the airline is present and direct customer API integrations. Digitising other critical cargo processes, Emirates SkyCargo become the first carrier in the region to adopt PayCargo’s solution, introducing instant payments via credit card or direct debit, as opposed to the traditional and inefficient cash transactions. Looking ahead to 2026, the airline will explore further enhancements to its digital toolbelt, such as adding new features and products that refine the customer journey. 

SOLVING TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES WITH NEW PRODUCTS

Emirates SkyCargo remained airline of choice for all types of shipments – from moving over 14,600 beloved family pets to transporting the first ever prototype of the Koenigsegg supercar to Mille Miglia in the UAE. 

2025 saw the landmark launch of Emirates Courier Express, the airline’s door-to-door delivery solution, that sets new benchmarks in cross-border delivery. Within months, the solution had already scaled to launch in Australia and Germany, with a roadmap of upcoming launches into the world’s largest economies throughout 2026. To date, the solution has delivered over 50,000 packages with an average delivery time across its network of 3 days, and an average of 1 day between the UK and UAE. 

Harnessing the technical expertise of its team, Emirates SkyCargo launched the Aerospace and Engineering vertical, featuring an optimised AOG service and an all-new Aircraft Engines offering, meticulously balancing speed and security into specialised solutions. Emirates SkyCargo has recorded a 100% increase in the movement of individual engines, compared to the same time period last year, with demand continuing to grow – something the airline will be better placed to serve with the future aircraft deliveries. Earning its stripes, the airline transported Arab Satellite 813 from Al Ain to Shanghai, showcasing the new vertical’s precision, care and reliability. 

Fresh, dedicated to the movement of food, flowers and other perishables and the airline’s biggest vertical by tonnage, grew by 10% uplifting an additional 25,700 tonnes in comparison to 2024 – the equivalent of 275 million apples. As the UAE’s Comprehensive Economic Agreements (CEPAs) come into effect, the airline will continue to keep perishables moving from farm to table in as little as 24 hours. 

With the burgeoning global demand for critical and personalised patient treatments such as clinical trials or cell and gene therapies, Emirates SkyCargo recorded a 54% increase in volume on Vital, the airline’s dedicated white glove service for the most sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Emirates SkyCargo continues to invest in its infrastructure, technology and processes to reinforce its reputation as an undisputed market leader in the life sciences and healthcare vertical, moving 2,000 tonnes of pharma every week.  

The increased volume of mobile phones and other personal electronic devices being manufactured in Vietnam and India drove a 30% uptick in the airline’s Secure solution. Emirates SkyCargo met the demand with a mixture of freighter services and SEA-AIR. 

Emirates SkyCargo continues to set benchmarks for excellence in global logistics. In 2026, the airline will build on this strong foundation to deliver on its long-term strategy which includes doubling its current capacity, adding 20 new freighter destinations to its network and shaping the future of the industry with smart, digital-first products and services.

From Christchurch crayfish and Hawke’s Bay lamb to Central Otago cherries and Auckland orchids, high-quality New Zealand produce is gaining ground in Middle Eastern markets. With CEPA eliminating tariffs and streamlining customs procedures, volumes of these premium exports are expected to continue rising.

Emirates operates two daily flights between New Zealand and Dubai using its iconic A380 aircraft, a direct daily service from Auckland and a daily service from Christchurch via Sydney. In addition to its daily passenger aircraft, Emirates also flies two freighters into Auckland Airport weekly, giving Kiwi importers and exporters up to 600 tonnes of premium freight capacity every week. 

NZ Bloom sees UAE demand bloom

One of the clearest examples of this growing opportunity is NZ Bloom, a specialist exporter of fresh-cut flowers. The company has seen demand for its New Zealand-grown orchids in Dubai increase by an average of 50% year-on-year over the past two seasons, making the UAE one of its fastest-growing markets globally.

David Ballard, Owner of NZ Blooms says: “Approximately 90% of the orchids grown in New Zealand are sold to international markets, with the UAE one of the largest growing. Over two years, we’ve seen demand in Dubai double, which will only continue with the removal of import taxes. Dubai in particular is a major growth market for us, and the UAE is a real pillar to our business.”

“Effective linkages from New Zealand to major cities around the world are absolutely critical. We can do as well as we want with the product, but if you don’t have really good connections into lots of major cities, you will never be able to run a commercial business out of it. You need to be able to get this beautiful product in front of people really quickly to achieve that scale, which Emirates Sky Cargo has helped us do.”

“Flowers are also very temperature sensitive, and obviously Dubai is a really hot place, so Emirates’ cold storage chain is absolutely critical to keeping our product in great condition as it moves around the world.”

Including its distribution of cut flowers to the UAE and further around the world, Emirates SkyCargo helps export nearly 10,000 tonnes of perishable goods from New Zealand every year.

Global reach, local reliability

Through its hub in Dubai, a leading global logistics centre, Emirates SkyCargo connects New Zealand exporters to more than 145 destinations across six continents, with efficient transit times and specialised handling for time- and temperature-sensitive goods.

Wayne Turkington, New Zealand Cargo Manager, at Emirates SkyCargo says:

“The implementation of CEPA marks an exciting new chapter in trade between the UAE and New Zealand. 22 years ago when Emirates SkyCargo first started operating in New Zealand, the UAE was New Zealand’s 30th largest trading partner. Now we’re up to 11. The new agreement offers huge opportunities for this to only go up, with exporters able to build on volumes, and add more price competition against global competition.”

As a critical enabler of the modern ‘Aerial Silk Road’, Emirates SkyCargo mirrors the overland and maritime trade routes of old with a strategic network of air corridors and logistics hubs. Whether it’s delivering South Island seafood to high-end restaurants in Dubai, or North Island flowers to florists in Europe, Emirates SkyCargo plays a vital role in New Zealand’s international trade.

Dubai, UAE, 21 November 2025 – Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, to explore the development and deployment of next generation air cargo solutions.

The agreement was signed by Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President and Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous. Under the terms of the MoU, Emirates SkyCargo and LODD Autonomous will collaborate to validate the use of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft across the airline’s vast global network, through feasibility studies, regulatory engagement and live demonstrations. Leveraging over four decades’ expertise in the global movement of goods, Emirates SkyCargo will participate in LODD’s experimental operations through to the end of 2027, providing insight to inform design and development, with a view toward commercial deployment in regional and global markets.

The agreement follows last week’s successful first test flight of LODD’s Hili, an unmanned, hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft developed and manufactured in Abu Dhabi. Hili is fully autonomous from take-off to landing, and offers payload capacity of up to 250 kilograms , and travel distances up to 700 KM. As Emirates SkyCargo continues to invest in future-fit technologies for the seamless movement of goods, the Hili will be considered to join the airline’s ground fleet, to manage operations across its dual airport hub.

Commenting on the signing, Badr Abbas said, “This partnership with LODD is a reflection of our commitment to introduce innovative products that solve our customer’s transportation challenges. Emerging technologies will form the foundation of the next era of logistics, and Emirates SkyCargo will be at the forefront of this movement, investing our experience and expertise into the development of innovations that drive tangible impact. We look forward to collaborating with LODD to explore the potential development and deployment of this UAE-built technology.”

Rashid Mattar Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous commented “The UAE’s vision is built on harnessing innovation to propel everyday life forward. Our collaboration with Emirates SkyCargo blends LODD Autonomous’s frontier technologies with the country’s enduring commitment to safe, scalable, and sustainable logistics. Together, we will accelerate the adoption of drone-powered solutions that expand reach, cut delivery times, and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global logistics hub while upholding the highest standards of safety and regulatory excellence.”

Advancing the logistics ecosystem has long been a priority for Emirates SkyCargo. Setting new benchmarks for excellence in the global logistics industry, the airline is a trusted partner that seamlessly connects the world with a network of over 150 destinations, and an all widebody fleet of over 260 passenger and freighter aircraft. Consistently challenging the status quo, earlier this year, the airline launched Emirates Courier Express, a door-to-door delivery service that breaks the mould of cross-border eCommerce by merging the cargo division’s expertise in logistics with the airline’s passenger fleet and network.

Abu Dhabi-based LODD is transforming civilian logistics with state-of-the-art unmanned and autonomous aerial vehicles, and AI-enabled software that simplify operations, reduce costs, improve sustainability, and speed delivery. Supported by the Advanced Technology Research Council, the development of the Hili and its potential deployment across the world’s largest international airline’s operations exemplifies the UAE’s commitment to investing in the national technology ecosystem – from strategy and investment to research and application.

*About LODD:*

LODD is an autonomous aerospace company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, pioneering the future of cargo transportation. Founded in 2023, LODD designs, develops, and deploys next-generation autonomous systems to tackle the emerging challenges of middle-mile cargo logistics.

At the core of its innovation is Hili, LODD’s flagship UAV, engineered to transport payloads of up to 250 kilograms across distances of 700 kilometres. This breakthrough platform delivers scalable, efficient, and reliable cargo transport solutions for diverse industries.

With a business model rooted in sustainability, scalability, and operational efficiency, LODD is laying the foundation for a robust air mobility ecosystem that will redefine logistics across the UAE and beyond.

For more information, please visit:

www.lodd.com

www.linkedin.com/company/lodd-autonomous

https://www.instagram.com/lodd.autonomous

Dubai, UAE, 10 November 2025 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has upgraded its on-road fleet of trucks with the latest-generation Euro 6 models from MAN Trucks, in collaboration with Allied Transport Company. Emirates SkyCargo is the first adopter of the long-haul, heavy commercial Euro 6 vehicles in the region, introducing the most advanced truck technology into its ground operations with 40 vehicles.

The engine in the Euro 6 trucks meets the most stringent emissions standards, resulting in significantly lower levels of harmful pollutants compared to previous models. By replacing 40 trucks on its fleet with 40 Euro 6 models, Emirates SkyCargo anticipates a 17%* annual reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from trucking. This builds on the airline’s commitment to implement fuel- and emissions-saving initiatives across ground operations.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “The addition of the Euro 6 trucks to our fleet is an important evolution in our commitment to more sustainable operations, and to investing in future-ready technology that will fuel our next era of growth. We expect cargo volumes to and through Dubai will continue to grow, driven by Dubai’s strategic Economic Agenda and are ready to play our part in better facilitating global trade by deploying the right equipment and infrastructure across our operations.”

Beyond the low-emissions platform, the Euro 6 are packed with a suite of driver-focused technologies to enhance connectivity, safety and security. Every vehicle is equipped with kerb mirrors, reverse cameras and blind-spot reduction for 360° visibility improvement, while new intelligent driver-assist features elevate road safety standards – such as the AI-powered Driver Monitoring System, which triggers a real-time safety alert when it detects driver distraction or fatigue.

The advanced technology also reinforces security measures for both driver and cargo in transit. Dual camera coverage simultaneously records the front of the truck and in-cabin, providing full visibility at all times. Combined with GPS and cloud tracking, Emirates SkyCargo will have access to live fleeting monitoring, video transmission and real-time insights for more informed data-driven decision making.

Ali Bin Beyat, Chief Executive Officer, Allied Transport Company, said: “The long-term relationship between Allied Transport and Emirates SkyCargo reflects our shared commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability in logistics. The introduction of the first long-haul Euro 6 fleet to the Middle East marks a major step forward in our collective effort to drive cleaner, smarter, and more efficient transport operations. At Allied Transport, we believe that efficiency and environmental responsibility go hand in hand, and this milestone showcases how enduring industry relationships and advanced technologies can together create meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future for regional logistics.”

Moving over 1,000 tonnes of cargo every day, Emirates SkyCargo’s truck fleet serves as a conveyer between Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), traversing the 77 KM bonded corridor up to six times per day, per truck. Critical to the seamless handling of cargo across it’s dual-airport hub, the investment in the new truck fleet will further enhance efficiencies and set new benchmarks in the airline’s on-ground operations.

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Notes to editors

• CO₂ emission reduction is based on a comparison with the existing truck models.
• Considered DEFRA 2025 emissions factor of 2.628 kg CO₂/litre for diesel.

Dubai, UAE, November 4, 2025 – Emirates Courier Express has grown its footprint in Europe with the start of operations in Germany. Headquartered from Frankfurt, the groundbreaking door-to-door cross-border delivery solution is primed to serve Germany’s manufacturing hub and add a new, more direct offering to Europe’s B2B supply chains and B2C shippers. 

The launch into Germany is a strategic development in Emirates Courier Express’ expansion plans, enabling the airline to better serve one of Europe’s most prominent production hubs. Within a four-hour radius of Frankfurt, Emirates Courier Express will connect some of the biggest manufacturers in life sciences and healthcare, textiles, automotive, aviation and industrial engineering with their international suppliers, partners and businesses with bespoke, scalable logistics solutions. 

Connecting Dubai and Frankfurt with 21 weekly services in each direction, Emirates flight schedule conveniently offers morning, afternoon and evening slots, allowing for multiple departures each day. Coupled with Frankfurt’s excellent road connectivity into other major cities and towns, Emirates Courier Express will serve the whole of Germany with delivery timelines of just 3 to 5 days. 

Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation, Emirates SkyCargo said, “With our high-frequency flight schedule and the flexibility of our world-class infrastructure, Emirates Courier Express brings a new dynamic to Germany’s logistics ecosystem. Working hand in hand with customers, we can provide tailormade solutions to a variety of industries, carrying everything from pharmaceuticals to automotive spare parts, and provide quicker, more direct shipments from Germany and into key markets such as the Middle East, Africa and Australia.” 

The direct connectivity between Frankfurt and Dubai significantly reduces the shipments time in transit and package handling. While the vast majority of Emirates Courier Express packages will travel on the passenger flights, Emirates also operates six weekly freighters into Frankfurt, adding a new dimension to the existing solution by enabling customers to move shipments of all shapes and sizes quickly, reliably and efficiently. 

Prioritising ease of business, Emirates Courier Express’ is entirely digital, with a purpose-built tech platform integrating directly into customer software and provide advanced tracking systems and real-time updates from collection to delivery.  

To find out how Emirates Courier Express could redefine your approach to international delivery, visit our website.

Dubai, UAE, 30 October 2025 – Building on the airline’s significant network expansion across East and Southeast Asia, Emirates SkyCargo has deployed a weekly freighter to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Already operating the largest and most diversified route network of any non-Asian airline, the new freighter destination provides regional customers with more flexibility to move their goods worldwide, via Dubai.

The cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline now serves 43 global destinations with its dedicated freighter fleet, 11 of which are in East and Southeast Asia.

Guided by the government’s longstanding ‘Thailand 4.0’ economic vision, the country has invested significantly in innovation and developing more advanced technologies and are emerging as world leaders in next-generation automotive, smart electronics, medical and biotechnology, robotics and more. With its specialist product portfolio, all widebody fleet of over 260 aircraft and near-unrivalled global network, Emirates SkyCargo is perfectly positioned to facilitate the movement of Thailand’s highly delicate tech products, as well as other commodities including garments and stone fruits.

Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President said, “Our operations across East and Southeast Asia are among the most expansive on our global network – from flight frequencies, freighter deployment, available capacity and gateways served. However, the demand is exponential and therefore the region will be the foundation of our expansion plans through 2026 and beyond.

“Markets such as Thailand and Vietnam are the new heartbeat of global trade, with established and modern manufacturing capabilities, evolving digital economies and world-class logistics infrastructure. We do not see demand slowing and stand ready to support the region’s growth with the quick, reliable and efficient movement of goods worldwide.”

Driven by the consistently high demand, Emirates SkyCargo also boosted freighter frequency in and out of Hanoi to four-weekly services. Three of these freighters connect directly to Dubai World Central (DWC), while the fourth connects Dubai Taipei and Hanoi, enabling the airline to better support Vietnamese-based customers with direct connectivity to and through Dubai.

The airline also deployed a sixth weekly freighter to Guangzhou, catering to the high demand out of mainland China consisting predominately of consumer tech products, electrical goods and eCommerce. To ensure stable capacity during peak periods and seasonal demand, Emirates SkyCargo frequently deploys adhoc freighter capacity across the region.

Over the last thirty years of operations, Emirates SkyCargo has steadily and strategically built its operations across East and Southeast Asia, now serving 25 gateways with 45 freighter services, 13 charter services and 315 passenger services every week, offering an available 21,000 tonnes of capacity.

Dubai, UAE, 13 August 2025 – With the launch of passenger services to Hangzhou, China, Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, now offers over 21,000 tonnes of weekly tonnage in and out of East and Southeast Asia every week, across the largest and most diversified route network of any non-Asian airline. Deepening its footprint in the region, Emirates SkyCargo now serves 25 gateways across 12 countries and territories. 

Firmly entrenched as the ‘factory of the world’, East and Southeast Asia has established thriving economic corridors, and require significant air freight capacity to shift goods worldwide. Dedicated Emirates SkyCargo freighters serve 9 gateways in the region, with 44 weekly flights, the highest freighter flight density on the airline’s vast global network; this schedule is complemented by 13 charter services to and from East Asia every week, delivering consistent capacity and stable connectivity for Asian businesses into Europe and the Middle East. Freighter and charter operations are underpinned by 311 weekly passenger flights, moving travellers and cargo via a mix of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. 

With the high-frequency flight schedule, an Emirates aircraft takes off from East or Southeast Asia approximately every half hour. 

“East and Southeast Asia are not just anchors of our global network – they are shaping the future of global logistics, and global trade,” said Abdulla Alkhallafi, Vice President of Cargo Commercial, Far East and Australasia.  “From cutting-edge manufacturing hubs to high-growth consumer markets, the region drives the pace of trade. Our strategic growth strategy and continued investment in East Asia and Southeast Asia reflects this as we remain laser-focused on building the capacity, routes and partnerships to best serve the exponential demand.” 

Fostering economic growth

As a global hub for innovation, e-commerce and advanced manufacturing, and boasting a thriving agricultural sector, East and Southeast Asia have long been key markets on Emirates SkyCargo’s global network. In an average week, Emirates SkyCargo uplifts over 450 tonnes of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and other perishable products, 100 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, 75 tonnes of electronics, semi-conductors and smart goods, 180 tonnes of garments and over 1,300 tonnes of eCommerce.   

The ‘Aerial Silk Road’ – a network of air routes, logistics hubs and aviation infrastructure mirroring the overland and maritime Silk Roads of yore – enables swift and efficient connectivity with global markets. With a vast network of over 145 destinations, Emirates SkyCargo is well positioned to facilitate global trade. In fact, Emirates SkyCargo plays a significant support role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating swift and reliable connectivity to over 50 countries participating in the initiative. 

Strength through partnership

Beyond its own network and capacity, Emirates SkyCargo forged a strategic partnership with Teleport, the exclusive cargo partner of AirAsia, to better support the burgeoning trade between Southeast Asia and the wider world, via Dubai. Unlocking over 100 primary, secondary and tertiary regional airports, Emirates SkyCargo is able to better serve global customers with increased capacity, more flexibility and access into new markets in Asia; conversely, Emirates SkyCargo supports Southeast Asian businesses with better connectivity into Europe, the USA and Canada.

A series of ‘firsts’

Emirates has been setting benchmarks since the beginning of operations in East Asia. In September 2002, Emirates SkyCargo launched freighter services between Dubai and Shanghai, establishing the first direct air connectivity between the Middle East and the Chinese mainland, and pre-dating passenger operations by 18 months. 

The streak continued in 2025, as Emirates SkyCargo launched a weekly freighter to Japan’s Narita International Airport, marking the first direct and scheduled freighter connectivity between Narita and the Middle East. Enabling faster and more flexible shipments, the freighter from Narita uplifts pharmaceuticals, semi-conductor parts and large or oddly-shaped shipments such as machinery parts.

As Emirates SkyCargo advances its ambitious 10-year growth strategy, East Asia and Southeast Asia remain priority markets for increased capacity, whether through additional flight schedules or brand-new routes. By deepening connectivity across the region and maintaining seamless links with key markets worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo will continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening global supply chains, supporting bilateral economic growth and shape the future of global logistics.

Dubai, UAE, 3 June 2025 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has launched Aircraft Engines, a fit-for-purpose solution dedicated to the carriage of aviation’s most critical and high-value parts. The product sits under a new vertical, Aerospace and Engineering, which meticulously balances the highest level of expertise with speed and efficiency. 

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo said, “Moving highly specialized items is always an exciting challenge, and, having significantly invested in building world-class infrastructure across our network, it’s a challenge that we are ready to meet. Harnessing the technical expertise of our team, our proprietary and innovative technology and fit-for-purpose infrastructure, we liaised closely with various stakeholders to develop Aircraft Engines and a dedicated product vertical, to ensure we were able to cater to such valuable and technical cargo at every touchpoint.” 

A closer look at Aircraft Engines

Aircraft engines are a feat of modern engineering. Highly technical and requiring specialist and focused handling end-to-end, they are transported for maintenance, repair and replacement, and often need to move as quickly as possible. Working in close coordination with external consultants including manufacturers and operators, Emirates SkyCargo’s team of in-house experts optimised existing processes to create a dedicated solution for the global movement of engines: Aircraft Engines.

Every step in of the process is geared towards providing customers with peace of mind that their critical shipment will be handled correctly. Certified loadmasters supervise the loading, securing and unloading of engines, managing the transfer end-to-end with specialised handling techniques, checklists, and equipment such as shock absorbing transport dollies for extra care. Emirates control tower team monitors every shipment making sure it’s delivered as promised, while additional track and trace devices can be added to the booking for real time updates throughout the entire journey.

Understanding that speed is mission-critical, Aircraft Engines shipments carry the highest loading priority, ensuring transportation is handled quickly and efficiently to minimise ground time of its customers’ aircraft operations. Likewise, a team of experts, located in key cities across the airline’s vast global network, are available to provide consultation services and support, via a dedicated hotline and email address, providing direct and efficient communication, resulting in significantly faster responses to queries.

In addition to the highest level of end-to-end protection, paired with competitive connection times and multiple frequencies across the airline’s vast global network, Emirates SkyCargo has the capability to swiftly confirm freighter re-routing, providing unmatched delivery times.

The introduction of the Aerospace and Engineering vertical

By introducing Aerospace and Engineering, Emirates SkyCargo aims to provide tailored logistics and transport solutions to a sector that demands high precision, specialised handling, and speed.

The vertical is designed for a targeted customer base in aviation, engineering, defence and space, such as commercial aviation companies, aircraft manufacturers and parts suppliers transporting components and engines; manufacturers producing satellites and other space technology; engineers leading the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge technologies in propulsion, avionics and materials science; and finally, governments requiring ultimate security for specialised shipments.

In addition to Aircraft Engines, the vertical includes AOG (Aircraft on Ground) which expedites time-critical aircraft parts. Emirates SkyCargo already moves multiple shipments of aircraft parts every day, and has recently enhanced this offering, introducing new and even more distinctive ‘Must Go’ bags stamped with ‘CARGO’ to ensure the highest level of speed and service for global customers.

Additional subcategories under Aerospace and Engineering are already in development, to ensure Emirates SkyCargo offers customers a comprehensive suite of services.

Emirates SkyCargo is already a first-choice carrier for aircraft engines, averaging hundreds of shipments every year, across its vast global network. The airline has also been involved in historic aerospace movements, including the KhalifaSat, the first satellite developed and built by Emirati engineers in the UAE at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), which flew from Dubai to South Korea. Most recently, Emirates SkyCargo moved nanosatellites from Paris to Auckland, before they were launched into orbit to provide global Internet of Things connectivity. This experience has been instrumental in the development of the dedicated product and vertical. 

To enquire about Aircraft Engines, please visit our website.

Munich, Germany, 2 June 2025 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has bolstered freighter connectivity between European destinations and key points on its vast global network. Building on its geographic advantages, headquartered in the centre of the world, Emirates SkyCargo serves as a vital bridge between East and West, facilitating the flow of trade quickly, efficiently and reliably.

Emirates SkyCargo plans to deploy an additional two weekly charter freighters enhancing the connectivity between Milan and Southeast China, via Dubai, starting Q3 2025. Anticipated commodities from Milan, include fashion and pharmaceuticals, as well as general cargo.

The current weekly freighter connecting Dubai World Central (DWC), Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) and Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ), will now receive an additional stop in Beirut (BEY) before returning to Dubai, enhancing connectivity to the Levant. Serving as a feeder gateway to and from Western European markets, Maastricht is one of the region’s busiest cargo hubs, particularly for general cargo and pharmaceuticals, both of which Emirates SkyCargo expects to transport to Beirut in large volumes. Likewise, Zaragoza Airport boasts excellent road and rail connectivity with Spain’s main economic and industrial, and handles significant volumes of fashion and apparel, which will now move to Beirut more directly.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Harnessing the power and connectivity of Emirates’ global network, a fleet over 260 passenger and freighter aircraft, and a multi-vertical portfolio of specialist logistics solutions, we have the scale and flexibility to keep trade flowing, even in the face of market instability.

“As we receive our new Boeing 777 freighters, we are deploying them quickly and strategically to serve the unwavering demand across our network. Whether by layering on frequencies or adding new route stops, we will continue to evolve our operations, schedule and network in line with global trade patterns, to ensure we provide an unbeatable service to our customers.”

Emirates SkyCargo freighters serve more destinations in Europe than any other region on its vast global network, including two cargo-only destinations, and is complemented by passenger operations to 40 destinations. The high-frequency flight scheduled, comprised of 45 freighter flights and 545 passenger flights every week, ensures that goods from Europe move seamlessly and at speed across the globe.

In the last financial year, Emirates SkyCargo uplifted an average of 6,900 tonnes from Europe every week, strengthening international trade lanes with the movement of pharmaceuticals from Denmark and Belgium, perishables such as fresh salmon from Norway and whisky from Glasgow, automotive shipments from Frankfurt and, of course, general cargo from every destination. 43% of the volume was transported to the UAE and Middle East, and a further 32% was carried to the Far East and Australasia, highlighting Emirates SkyCargo’s vital role as a bridge between European manufacturers, traders and exporters with businesses all over the world.

-          The move is a part of Emirates SkyCargo’s broader strategy to reduce the environmental impact of its ground operations.

Dubai, UAE, 17 April 2025 – As part of its continued commitment to implementing fuel saving initiatives across ground operations, Emirates SkyCargo, in collaboration with Allied Transport Company, will add hydrogen-powered trucks into its trucking fleet. Currently in production, the trucks will be onboarded to the fleet by Q1 2026.

Emirates SkyCargo’s truck fleet comprises over 60 trucks and serves as a conveyer between Dubai World Central (DWC) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), as well as the wider domestic region. The airline will deploy five hydrogen-powered trucks, marking a key milestone in the company’s gradual transition to alternate fuel vehicles. The addition of these trucks is expected to reduce Emirates SkyCargo’s CO2 and other emissions from trucking.

The hydrogen trucks, like the current diesel-powered vehicles, can carry up to 28 tonnes of cargo, ensuring no compromise on capacity. They will be refuelled at two dedicated hydrogen fuelling stations in Dubai - Expo City and the Al Qudra Dewa station, and a full tank can provide a range of up to 700 kms, to ensure seamless transport for Emirates SkyCargo’s customers.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “The deployment of hydrogen-powered trucks into our fleet marks an exciting development in our strategy to reduce emissions in our ground operations. We will continue to explore more ways to integrate alternative fuels and technologies and scale up efforts that mitigate our environmental footprint without compromising on the high standards of service our customers expect.”

Mr. Ali Bin Beyat, CEO of Allied Transport Company, expressed strong confidence in the potential of hydrogen-powered transport, stating: "Through our extensive research, we are confident that achieving significantly reduced emissions is possible with hydrogen trucks, without relying on conventional power sources. In partnership with Emirates SkyCargo, we are introducing Hydrogen-powered trucks across UAE-especially in Dubai-to support a cleaner and sustainable logistics future. This initiative aligns with Emirates SkyCargo’s sustainability goals and supports the UAE’s vision for a greener future."

The hydrogen trucks are tractor units, compatible with a variety of trailers to accommodate different types of cargo, ensuring that Emirates SkyCargo can meet its diverse customer needs while expanding initiatives to minimise its environmental footprint.

Reducing emissions is one of the key pillars of the Emirates’ Environmental Sustainability Framework, with multiple initiatives dedicated to efficient operations. In 2023, Emirates achieved IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications, a testament to the airline’s longstanding commitment to impactful environmental sustainability initiatives.

Dubai, UAE, 16 April, 2025 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Teleport, AirAsia’s exclusive cargo partner. The partnership aims to better support the burgeoning trade between Southeast Asia and the wider world, via Dubai.

The agreement was signed at IATA’s World Cargo Symposium by Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President and Pete Chareonwongsak, CEO of Teleport. Under the terms of the MoU, Emirates SkyCargo and Teleport will work closely on a number of initiatives, which include expanding cargo interline options and block space agreements, to enhance connectivity and boost the reach of ASEAN businesses.

Teleport exclusively consolidates the bellyhold capacity of all AirAsia airlines into a single and largest air logistics network in Southeast Asia, encompassing Malaysia-based AirAsia Berhad, AirAsia X Berhad, Indonesia AirAsia, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X and AirAsia Cambodia, together with a fleet of three dedicated freighter aircraft and 40+ other airlines. Combined, this expands Emirates SkyCargo’s reach into over 100 destinations beyond primary, but also into both secondary and tertiary airports in the Southeast Asian region. Conversely, Teleport will benefit from Emirates’ vast global network of over 145 destinations with a particular focus on key destinations in Europe, Africa and the US.

Commenting on the partnership, Badr Abbas said, “For almost 35 years, we have proudly served Southeast Asia, keeping goods flowing quickly, reliably and efficiently. This strategic partnership with Teleport and the AirAsia Group of airlines is an evolution of that commitment, enabling us to better serve our customers with increased capacity, more flexibility and access into new markets in Asia, combined with enhanced connectivity across our vast global network.”

Pete Chareonwongsak added, “2025 is a year of global scale for Teleport as we strengthen our Teleport Network reach and capacity to better meet the growing global demands of e-commerce. Our partnership with Emirates, which is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia for them, is a source of great pride as we collaborate with a leading global partner. This will enable the expansion of both our respective air networks, supporting Southeast Asia’s growing exports and facilitating the movement of e-commerce from China, through our connectivity beyond Southeast Asia, to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. E-commerce is expected to double its share of Southeast Asia’s air cargo volumes from 11% to 20% by 2029, driven by lightweight, high-frequency shipments replacing bulk freight and the rise in demand for express delivery. With a shared commitment to provide faster, more efficient, and reliable cross-border air cargo services, this partnership enhances our combined capabilities to capture global market opportunities.” 

Southeast Asia and the wider Asian continent are the backbone of global manufacturing, particularly for electronics, smart gadgets, fashion and textiles, machines, automobiles and pharmaceuticals. The partnership is set to support the world’s shifting supply chains, as Southeast Asia continues building its manufacturing and logistics capabilities. Southeast Asia outbound air cargo in 2024 amounted to ~2.5 million tons with greater flows expected to the Middle East and Europe, supported by manufacturing expansion, e-commerce, and improved infrastructure. 

In recent years, the UAE and Southeast Asian countries have solidified their economic and bilateral relationship, with Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) signed between the UAE and Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, with Vietnam and Thailand expected to follow. The agreement between Emirates SkyCargo and Teleport supports these prosperous relationships and lays a foundation for further growth, by improving trade flows and generating new opportunities that help strengthen global economies. 

Emirates SkyCargo first began operations to Southeast Asia with direct flights to Singapore, Bangkok and Manila in June 1990. Now, the airline operates 5 freighters and 176 passenger flights per week to 11 destinations across the region. Further expansion is on the horizon with the upcoming launch of passenger services to Siem Reap, Cambodia and Da Nang, Vietnam in June 2025, with both cities connecting via Bangkok. 

Established in 2018, Teleport is an integrated logistics solutions provider operating the largest air logistics network in Southeast Asia, covering 80% of the region. The Teleport Network moves everything from large palletised cargo to small eCommerce parcels in an affordable, fast and reliable way, reaching over 164 destinations across Asia Pacific via combined freighter and high-frequency passenger aircraft belly capacity of AirAsia and 40+ other partner airlines. As a logistics venture of Capital A with presence across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, India, Singapore and China, Teleport ensures that everything arrives the next-day for anyone across Southeast Asia.

Dubai, UAE, 15 April 2025 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of the world’s largest international airline, has deployed a dedicated weekly freighter to Narita International Airport (NRT), increasing its network of destinations served by Emirates freighters to 38.  The deployment also marks the first direct and scheduled freighter connectivity between Narita and the Middle East, enabling faster and more flexible shipments.

Japan has a well-established and diverse manufacturing industry and has long been a priority market for Emirates SkyCargo, with a twice weekly freighter to Kansai International Airport (KIX). The soon-to-be-deployed freighter to Narita International Airport will boost available cargo capacity by 100 tonnes each way. Expected commodities include automobile and machinery parts, semi-conductor parts and sophisticated pharmaceuticals, transported swiftly, efficiently and reliably via the airline’s multi-vertical product portfolio.

Narita International Airport is the largest air- or seaport in Japan, in terms of value of cargo handled, and, with further investment allocated to the ‘New Narita Airport’ Development Plan, the airport is set to become the region’s foremost cargo hub by the end of the decade.

Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President said, “Expanding our dedicated freighter network is a key priority on our 10-year strategic roadmap and now, as we start to receive our all-new Boeing 777 freighters, we are able to reach new markets with enhanced capacity.

“Demand for our world-class product and services has been steadily growing in Narita, particularly for pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics, transported in the bellyhold of our daily passenger flight, while large or oddly-shaped shipments such as machinery parts were diverted to KIX. The deployment of this freighter empowers us to better support our global customers with direct connectivity to and through Dubai, while growing our operations in Japan.”

Emirates SkyCargo serves four destinations across East and Southeast Asia with 57 dedicated freighter flights per week, complemented by over 290 passenger flights every week. This near-unrivalled frequency and capacity marks East Asia as one of the airline’s busiest destinations, with further expansion on the horizon in the coming months with additional passenger routes opening between Dubai and Siem Reap, Cambodia; Da Nang, Vietnam, and Shenzhen, China.

Effective from 24^th May 2025, EK9413 will arrive in Narita International Airport on Saturdays at 01:00AM UTC, departing for Dubai World Central at 03:00AM UTC. Customers can contact their local Emirates SkyCargo office or visit skycargo.com for more information.

Previously served via bellyhold capacity in passenger aircraft, the Boeing 777 freighter will increase capacity offered to Emirates’ customers, with approximately 85 tonnes allocated for cargo from Copenhagen, and neighbouring countries including Norway and Sweden.

Emirates SkyCargo has recorded significant growth in volume of over 20% from Denmark in the last financial year, driven largely by pharmaceutical shipments. With a thriving life sciences production industry and resilient cold chain infrastructure, Copenhagen serves as Europe’s northern hub for pharma logistics. The increased capacity coupled with Emirates SkyCargo’s fit-for-purpose pharmaceutical product portfolio and extensive global network will support more pharma exports from Denmark.

In addition to uplifting pharmaceutical cargo, Emirates SkyCargo will provide tailored solutions to transport goods via its multi-vertical product portfolio. From general cargo to temperature-sensitive perishables such as fish and other foods, the airline keeps goods moving from Copenhagen to the world, swiftly, efficiently and reliably.

Mette Jensen, Cargo Manager for Scandinavia, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Demand has been strong across Scandinavia, with particular growth in Copenhagen, and we expect this to continue into the next financial year and beyond. Bolstering our operations to Copenhagen with a dedicated freighter, ensures that we are able to serve the current demand, and support our customers in reaching a large number of markets across the globe.”

Emirates SkyCargo serves 11 destinations across Europe with 38 dedicated freighter flights per week, complemented by over 485 passenger flights every week. This near-unrivalled frequency and capacity marks Europe as one of the airline’s busiest destinations.

Effective from 1 January 2025, EK9746 will arrive in Copenhagen Airport on Wednesdays at 12:35AM*, departing for Dubai World Central at 15:05PM*. Customers can contact their local Emirates SkyCargo office or visit skycargo.com for more information.

*All timings are local time.

Dubai, UAE, 16 July 2024 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has announced a firm order for an additional five Boeing 777 freighters, with immediate delivery between 2025 and 2026. The US$ 1billion order will take the airline’s total order book to 315 wide-body aircraft.

Emirates SkyCargo performance throughout Q1 of its current 2024-25 financial year has been exceptional, with consistently high load factors and tonnages surpassing 2019 figures. Once the new aircraft enter in service, available main deck cargo capacity will increase by 30%, allowing the airline to deploy much-needed space into key markets, and better serve global customers.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said: “Demand for our world-class product and services is growing exponentially, further amplified by Dubai’s Economic Agenda which aims to double foreign trade and reinforce the city’s position as a global trading hub. This investment in additional Boeing 777 capacity enables us to cater to customer demand and marks a step forward on our long-term strategic growth plan.

The next phase of our strategy will include a full assessment for our future freighter fleet reviewing all aircraft options to ensure we are best equipped to respond to the evolving demands of the market and reaffirming our confidence in the role of airfreight and, more specifically, Emirates SkyCargo, in global trade.”

"We are honored that Emirates SkyCargo, renowned for operational excellence and innovation, has once again selected the Boeing 777 Freighter to extend the reach of its global network,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We deeply value Emirates’ trust in the Boeing widebody family and are committed to supporting their long-term strategic growth plan.”

With the staggered delivery of its new aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo will retire older freighters, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to operating one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in the sky.

In addition to the 10 Boeing 777Fs on order, the airline’s cargo capabilities will be bolstered by the 10 777-300ERs currently being converted into freighters, taking Emirates’ freighter fleet to 17 aircraft by the end of 2025. Harnessing the Emirates passenger fleet, the cargo division will continue to facilitate the fast, reliable and efficient movement of goods worldwide, offering customers more flexibility with a fleet mix comprised of 777s, 777Fs, 747Fs, A350s, and A380s.

Dubai, UAE, 30 May, 2024 – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has implemented a bespoke training programme, designed to equip the cargo leaders of tomorrow with the commercial and leadership skillset for future success. As the logistics industry faces a lack of skilled workforce, Emirates SkyCargo aims to create opportunities for growth within its operations, inspiring employees across all levels to develop their career with the airline. 

Split into two groups of 16, the candidates are handpicked from Emirates SkyCargo’s pool of high performing cargo managers and include both Emirati Nationals as well as other nationalities from the airline’s outstations. The 15 day programme includes six sessions, focussed on proactive preparation and strategic optimization of current and future operations, including the groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence (AI), embedding innovation at every touchpoint and tangible sustainability approaches. Throughout all sessions, the participants are supported with an all-encompassing business coaching program. The candidates will graduate with a diploma endorsed by AviationNOW, a member of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), the organization representing and uniting all facets of the air cargo industry. 

Nadeem Sultan, Senior Vice President of Cargo Planning and Freighters, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Implementing this Executive Leadership Programme is a crucial step on our long-term strategic roadmap, ensuring we foster the outstanding talent within our commercial operations to take the helm of Emirates SkyCargo to greater heights in the future. Creating an environment of development and providing continuous opportunities for learning contributes to the long tenure of Emirates SkyCargo staff, and helps us attract the best talent in the industry, despite the challenging environment.” 

To deliver the Executive Leadership course, Emirates SkyCargo has partnered with AviationNOW, the aviation arm of the GrowNOW Group. The training is hosted at Emirates headquarters in Dubai, and will be a mix of theoretical and practical sessions, providing candidates with tools to implement in their immediate roles as well as for the next stage of their career. Following the first schedule, Emirates SkyCargo plans to extend the training programme to other aspects of the business, including operations. 

Learning and development is a key priority across the Emirates Group with 18,600 employees from 84 countries participating in various training courses in the 2023-24 financial year. The Group launched a new leadership programme and continued two existing ones in partnership with INSEAD. The organisation also delivered leadership programmes in collaboration with London Business School, Warwick School of Business and Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. In 2023-24, employees actively engaging with new learning paths and courses crafted to empower career success – LinkedIn Learning videos received over 1 million views and over 200,000 employees visited the Groups’ Future Skills Portal.

Candidates interested in professional opportunities at Emirates SkyCargo or the wider Emirates Group can visit the website to learn more.

Dubai, UAE, 28 May 2024 – Emirates SkyCargo is celebrating a decade of dual airport operations, made possible by the airline’s robust trucking fleet and bonded corridor. With 77 kilometres between Dubai World Central (DWC) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates SkyCargo established the bonded trucking corridor, to seamlessly integrate the airports and offer customers a five-hour air-to-air transfer service. 

Comprised of over 60 trucks and operating 24/7, the fleet serves as a rolling conveyor between the dedicated freighter operations at DWC and bellyhold operations at DXB. Since May 2014, Emirates SkyCargo trucks have transferred more than 2.16 million tonnes of cargo between the airports in 640,000+ trips, facilitating trade to over 150 destinations on the airline’s vast global network. 

Robert Fordree, Senior Vice President of Cargo Operations Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Establishing a reliable and effective trucking service has been essential to the success of our dual airport hub, enabling us to move our customers’ shipments without compromise. Over the last decade, we have reinforced the service, offering one of the most competitive air-to-air transfer times of 5 hours, coupled with fit-for-purpose solutions to keep goods flowing quickly and reliably around the world. We will continue to develop our multi-modal offering and integrate Dubai’s world-class infrastructure into our operations, strengthening the city’s position as a leading logistics hub.” 

Offering customers more choice and flexibility with their international shipping, Emirates SkyCargo’s truck fleet includes flat-beds, temperature-controlled refrigerated units, dry box roller beds and reefers to provide fit-for-purpose attention for goods in transit. Maintained and operated by Allied Transport Company, the fleet has travelled over 62 million miles in the last decade, which is the equivalent distance of 81 trips to the moon and back. 

In addition to shuttling cargo between the two airports, Emirates SkyCargo introduced a road feeder service, extending connectivity for regional airports via land. Since 2020, the airline has seen significant transit traffic from GCC markets such as in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for oversized and heavy cargo, including machinery, engines, automotive and oil field equipment, among others. 

Located in the center of the world with advantageous connectivity for air, land and sea, Dubai is a major trade gateway, serving as a bridge between East and West. Building on this, Emirates SkyCargo’s hub is the world’s largest and most technologically advanced cargo handling facility in the world, offering 185,000m² dedicated cargo area and a capacity of 2.3 million tonnes per annum across both operations. Guided by Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33 which defines the city's vision of becoming a prominent economic hub, Emirates SkyCargo works to improve trade flows and generate new, reciprocal business opportunities that help strengthen global economies.

Saudi Arabia, May 21, 2024 – Emirates Delivers, the e-commerce delivery solution from Emirates SkyCargo, has launched in Saudi Arabia. Shoppers from across the Kingdom can now shop online at their favourite stores in the UK, US and the UAE and use Emirates Delivers for fast, reliable, and cost-effective international delivery. 

Whether saving riyals during international retail events such as Cyber Monday and Dubai Summer Surprises; shopping at boutiques that don’t deliver to the Middle East; browsing a wider catalogue of products and sizes; or snapping up limited edition items, Saudi shoppers can fill their online baskets and Emirates Delivers will bring the packages directly to their door, in just 3 to 5 days. 

“Emirates Delivers is the bridge between Saudi shoppers and online retailers in the UK, the US and the UAE. By harnessing the Emirates global network, our wide body aircraft and frequency of flights, we are able to serve every corner of the Kingdom,” said Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation, Emirates SkyCargo. “Recognizing that the Middle East has been historically underserved when it comes to reliable online shopping delivery solutions, we will continue to steadily scale Emirates Delivers, creating new routes to facilitate the seamless cross-border delivery.” 

How Emirates Delivers works

Shoppers need to sign up to Emirates Delivers, to be assigned a unique delivery address in the UK, US and the UAE, enabling them to immediately start shopping online and have shipments sent to the Emirates Delivers facility in each country. 

Customers can estimate the shipping fees to Saudi Arabia before placing their order with the e-commerce merchant, by using the Shipping Calculator on the Emirates Delivers website. Emirates Delivers offers the unique feature of upfront and final costs, meaning there are no last minute charges to cover, once the package reaches Saudi. 

When the items arrive at the Emirates Delivers facility, agents will review purchases to ensure they arrived undamaged and upload photos of the items, before repacking to ensure proper wrapping and protection for international delivery. With free storage of up to 30 days, Emirates Delivers allows customers to combine items from different retailers and consolidate their purchases into one shipment order to further reduce the already-competitive shipping costs. 

Using ‘My Suite’, customers can then confirm shipping, with full tracking visibility from the time the items are received at the facility, through to delivery of the package at their door. Emirates Delivers takes care of all the hassle of shipping and customs clearance, making cross-border shopping simple. 

Emirates Delivers first launched in the UAE in 2019, before expanding operations to Kuwait in 2023, ensuring seamless delivery of the best retail from the US, UK and UAE. A tried, tested and trusted service, Emirates Delivers has been used by thousands of shoppers in the UAE and Kuwait to transport apparel, cosmetics, toys and games, books, footwear, and accessories as well as vitamins and health supplements.

To trial the service, customer’s first shipment from the UK, US or UAE to Saudi Arabia is free*, until 3 June, 2024.

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*Terms and Conditions

• Offer is valid from 21 May 2024 to 3 June 2024 only
• Offer applies to new Suites registered in Saudi Arabia
• Offer is valid for up to 5 KG chargeable weight
• Offer is valid from all three origin destinations (US, UK and the UAE)

The host-to-host connection with DB Schenker’s internal booking engine optimizes the air freight booking process, providing agents with direct access to Emirates SkyCargo’s schedules, Standard and Contract Tariff rates and available capacity, as well as the airline’s vast global network of over 140 destinations across six continents.

Launching first in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the connection will then launch globally, facilitating trade with key markets including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, India, Germany and the USA. Initially, the service will enable agents to book general cargo, with the possibility of adding other products from Emirates SkyCargo’s multi-vertical, industry-leading portfolio in the near future.

Dubai, UAE, 13 March, 2024 – Cementing its presence on three of the biggest digital marketplaces for air freight logistics, Emirates SkyCargo is now live on cargo.one. The partnership underscores Emirates SkyCargo’s longstanding commitment to implementing digital solutions that streamline operations, drive efficiencies and unlock value for its global customer base. Bolstering its advanced and customer-centric digital distribution strategy, partnering with cargo.one ensures that Emirates SkyCargo offers are present where its customers wish to book.

Through cargo.one, customers will be able to access Emirates SkyCargo schedules, tariff and contract rates, along with real-time access to available capacity, empowering freight forwarders to make immediate bookings at any time. During the initial launch phase, the partnership will roll out in select countries in Europe before expanding across the Americas, Africa, the Far East and Australasia. cargo.one now contributes to Emirates SkyCargo’s digital status in the market, with its seamless booking experience and reach to 15,000 freight forwarders in every corner of the world.

Jeffrey van Haeften, Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Digitalisation is a key way that we help the world work better, providing flexible and convenient options for freight forwarders to seamlessly access Emirates SkyCargo’s world-class product and services. In turn, by streamlining our quotations and bookings, we enable our teams to focus on providing outstanding customer service, which is the cornerstone of our brand. We will continue to invest in digital solutions and partnerships such as cargo.one to enhance the experience for our customers and expedite the movement of goods all over the world.”

Emirates SkyCargo’s four core products are listed on cargo.one, including Emirates Fresh and Emirates Fresh Breathe, an integrated and responsive cool chain purpose-built for perishables; Emirates Airfreight Priority for urgent shipments that require speed and reliability; and Emirates Airfreight for the quick and careful transport of general cargo.

Dubai, UAE, March 1, 2024 – Emirates SkyCargo, one of the largest international cargo airlines, has hosted discussions on the hot topics in logistics and world trade and the challenges faced by the global supply chains, on the sidelines of the 13^th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (WTO MC13), hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in the UAE capital. The event has brought together senior leaders across industries to provide a macro-view of the challenges, opportunities, and untapped potential of global logistics. 

Under the title, Security, Sustainability and Digitalisation: A New Era for Trade and Cargo, the event was programmed by Economist Impact. It delved into the patterns of modern trade that see trillions of dollars’ worth of goods move across the world every day. With global supply chains poised for change, the event has also explored the impact of geopolitical disruption, the growing demand for sustainable solutions, the intersection for technology and security, and the critical requirements for robust, resilient supply chains, underpinned by air freight. 

Commenting on the central themes of the event, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade and MC13 Chair, said it has become paramount to embrace new technologies to improve supply-chain efficiency and sustainability. “By leveraging the new generation of trade tech tools, we have the opportunity to not only strengthen global supply chains but make them more efficient and, as a result, more able to contribute to our efforts to combat climate change. As we outline in our new Trade-Sustain-AI initiative, technologies such as artificial intelligence can enhance freight movements, predict adverse or extreme weather events, and support inventory management, all of which support our efforts to develop a smarter, more transparent trading system. Today’s important discussion underlined the potential impact of advanced technologies on global trade – and the urgency with which we need to now integrate them.”

Setting the foundation on the nexus points between trade, investment, and geopolitics, Simon Evenett, a world renowned expert on trade and Professor at Switzerland’s University of St Gallen was the keynote speaker, followed by a fireside conversation moderated by Elizabeth Mackey, Senior Manager, New Globalisation, Economist Impact. 

Following this, a panel of industry leaders from some of the world’s biggest and most reputable organisations discussed the outlook of global trade. Panellists included Marion Jansen, Director of the Trade and Agriculture Directorate, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); Pierre Sauve, Senior Trade Specialist from the World Bank; Lisa Schroeter, Global Director of Trade and Investment Policy, Dow Chemical; and Nabil Sultan, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President for the past decade. 

Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has been a leading facilitator of global trade for almost four decades, giving the airline a comprehensive perspective on the cyclical peaks and troughs of trade patterns. Guided by Dubai’s Economic Agenda, D33 which defines the city's vision of becoming a prominent economic hub, the airline works to improve trade flows and generate new, reciprocal business opportunities that help strengthen global economies, by adding new and unique destinations to its vast network of over 140 destinations. 

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the only international organisation dealing with the global rules of trade, and aims to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. The Ministerial Conference (MC), which convenes every two years, is the uppermost decision-making body of the WTO. It brings together high- level decision-makers from around the world to review and rule on the multilateral trade system. MC13, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Economy and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), is being held at ADNEC Abu Dhabi from 26 – 29 February. 

The Emirates SkyCargo team, led by Divisional Senior Vice President, Nabil Sultan, accepted the award in Mumbai, on the sidelines of Air Cargo India 2024. The ceremony was also attended by other notable guests and leading members in the air cargo and logistics industry.

Commenting on the win, Sultan said: “We are honoured to be recognized as the leading cargo airline by the premier industry publication and our customers around the world. This accolade reflects our commitment to make the world work better through continual innovation and development in our operations, and also the talent in our Emirates SkyCargo team who are instrumental in our ongoing success. We will keep raising the bar, to ensure Emirates SkyCargo remains a first-class partner for our global customers.” 

Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the world’s largest international airline, has been a thriving enabler of global trade for almost four decades. Serving over 140 destinations across six continents, the airline connects people and businesses to the goods they need with an industry-leading portfolio of purpose-fit products and state-of-the-art infrastructure at its dual-airport hub in Dubai.

This week, Emirates SkyCargo played a pivotal role in shaping the future of logistics in India and the wider region during the 2024 Air Cargo India conference. In addition to a full schedule of meetings, networking events and media briefings, the airline’s leadership joined panel discussions alongside other industry leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities on India’s journey to uplift 10 million tonnes of annual cargo throughput by 2030. Marking 10 years at the helm of Emirates SkyCargo, Nabil Sultan provided an in-depth look at the evolution of the airline and an analysis of the 2024 forecast in a fireside chat, underscoring the airline’s confidence in air freight’s essential role in global trade.   

Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said: “2023 was a pivotal year for Emirates SkyCargo. Despite ongoing fluctuations in air freight, long-term trends indicate that the industry is growing at a rate of 3 – 5% year-on-year. Emirates SkyCargo, however, continues to outperform the market growth, uplifting over 1,183,000 tonnes from January to mid-December, a solid 7% increase compared to last year. Looking to the future, we are well-positioned to steadily scale up operations in 2024, continuing our strategic growth to ensure we lead the industry in solutions that are fast, reliable, flexible, and efficient.”

Reaching every corner of the globe

In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) Emirates SkyCargo is on a journey to grow Dubai’s position as the world’s largest logistics hub, expanding its fleet and network to better serve global customers. In Q1, Emirates SkyCargo leased two Boeing 747-400Fs, unlocking immediate additional cargo space in response to high customer demand. These aircraft join its fleet of 11 Boeing 777Fs and 251 passenger aircraft.

Further expansion is on the horizon, with four new 777-200Fs expected in 2024 and a fifth aircraft in 2025. This order is in addition to 310 wide-body passenger aircraft that Emirates has on the order book, which will see deliveries of new aircraft, and new cargo capacity, through to 2035.

Building on its competitive global connectivity, Emirates SkyCargo extended its reach in Canada and North America through a strategic interline cooperation with Air Canada Cargo. Customers are now able to book shipments that will travel on Air Canada Cargo flights via e-SkyCargo, expanding Emirates SkyCargo’s reach to over 60 cities in Canada and more than 150 cities globally.

Ever-evolving product portfolio

In May, Emirates SkyCargo reinforced its multi-vertical product portfolio, with the launch of two new bespoke products under its Life Sciences and Healthcare vertical. Addressing specific transportation challenges in healthcare, Emirates Vital is a specialist product designed to transport clinical trials, cell and gene therapies, and human samples, while Emirates Medical Devices enables the transport of everything from pacemakers to MRIs, following GDP specifications. Since launch, Emirates SkyCargo has uplifted almost 1,000 tonnes of highly sensitive cargo, using these two products alone.

Emirates Delivers expanded operations to Kuwait, providing door-to-door international delivery of items purchased from the UK and the US to savvy e-commerce shoppers. Recognising the opportunity in the wider Middle East region which has previously been underserved when it comes to e-commerce shipments, Emirates Delivers is preparing to significantly scale in 2024, offering fast, reliable, and cost-effective delivery solutions.

Advancing digitalisation strategy

Throughout 2023, Emirates SkyCargo helped shape the digital landscape for cargo operations. In addition to its own online booking platform on e-SkyCargo, the airline’s capacity is now available on two of the biggest digital marketplaces, CargoAi and WebCargo with plans to further expand its digital footprint in early 2024. In October, Emirates SkyCargo launched a landmark host-to-host connection with global freight forwarder, Kuehne+Nagel, providing direct access to its market-leading products and services on Kuehne+Nagel’s internal booking engine.

New brand umbrella

Reflecting Emirates SkyCargo’s wider contribution to global trade, the airline launched a new campaign showing how ‘The World Works Better with Emirates SkyCargo’. Disrupting the traditional USP-focused advertising of the cargo industry, The World Works Better has become the mantra by which Emirates SkyCargo operates, providing tangible impact to people and businesses all over the world.

Extending a lifeline to global communities

Committed to driving positive impact in the communities it serves around the world, Emirates SkyCargo is no stranger to humanitarian missions. Following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria in February, Emirates SkyCargo, in collaboration with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) swiftly established an airbridge to Istanbul. Dedicating cargo space on its daily flight to Istanbul across a two-week period Emirates SkyCargo and IHC ensured a steady flow of emergency supplies to on-ground NGOs.

More conscious operations

Emirates SkyCargo continues to focus on meaningful initiatives that drive impact, both in its own operations and across the industry. From on-ground programmes that ensure 75% of all plastic sheeting in the airline’s Dubai-based facilities is recycled through to optimizing the way aircraft is loaded, more environmental and sustainably conscious operations will remain a priority for Emirates SkyCargo through to 2024 and beyond.

In August, the Emirates Group achieved the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications, an achievement that Emirates SkyCargo contributed to significantly. Already a global leader in the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking, the certification is an acknowledgement of the company-wide commitment to taking action.

As 2023 draws to a close, Emirates SkyCargo shows no signs of slowing down. Reflecting its confidence in the future of air logistics, and to serve its customers in a dynamic landscape, Emirates SkyCargo has laid out ambitious growth plans, including investments in digital capabilities, adding 20 new destinations to its freighter network, and doubling existing capacity over the next decade.