Emirates SkyCargo Expands Freighter Network with Liege Launch
Emirates SkyCargo has added Liege, Belgium, to its global freighter network, marking its first new freighter destination of 2026 as the airline plans further expansion over the year.
The cargo arm of Emirates Airline will operate five scheduled freighter flights per week to Liege Airport, following several years of strong demand that had previously been met through ad hoc services. The move will increase Emirates SkyCargo’s cargo capacity by 500 tonnes per week, strengthening trade flows between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.
Strategically located within the Amsterdam–Paris–Frankfurt production corridor, Liege Airport has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing cargo hubs, recording a 14 per cent increase in cargo volumes in 2025. Emirates SkyCargo has already transported specialised shipments through Liege, including fresh-cut flowers, e-commerce consignments and chartered movements of horses for international competitions.
Of the five weekly freighter services, three will operate between Liege, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, facilitating the movement of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products through a secure cool chain. The remaining two flights will originate in Hong Kong, carrying e-commerce shipments to and via Liege.
Khawla Abdulla, Vice President of Cargo Commercial for Europe at Emirates SkyCargo, said the addition of Liege was a strategic move to deepen the airline’s European presence. “In 2025, we moved more than 15,000 tonnes of cargo from Belgium using a combination of freighter and passenger services. With the introduction of five weekly freighters, we expect significant growth and improved connectivity for our customers across Belgium and neighbouring markets,” she said.
Liege Airport welcomed the development, describing it as a major boost to its role in the European air cargo industry. Torsten Wefers, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Liege Airport, said the partnership reinforced the airport’s position as Europe’s largest freighter hub, with a strong focus on pharmaceuticals, perishables, live animals and express cargo.
Europe remains one of Emirates SkyCargo’s busiest regions, currently served by 38 freighters and 538 weekly passenger flights. The airline continues to expand its footprint, with passenger services to Helsinki scheduled to begin in October 2026. Emirates SkyCargo is also set to grow its fleet with the delivery of up to 10 new Boeing 777 freighters by December 2026.
Scheduled freighter services to Liege are now available, with customers able to make bookings through local Emirates SkyCargo offices or via the airline’s official cargo platform.
