Emirates SkyCargo Concludes a Year of Growth and Investment
Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of the world’s largest international airline, has marked a significant year of expansion and investment in its current and future operations.
Demonstrating confidence in the enduring role of air cargo in global trade, the airline has taken substantial strides towards its long-term strategic growth plans, aiming to double capacity in the next decade and solidify its position as a leader in global air logistics.
Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, emphasized the pivotal role of the airline in the air freight industry. Despite ongoing fluctuations, long-term trends indicate a 3-5% year-on-year growth in the sector. In 2023, Emirates SkyCargo outperformed the market, lifting over 1,183,000 tonnes, a robust 7% increase compared to the previous year.
Looking ahead to 2024, Emirates SkyCargo is poised to scale up operations, continuing its strategic growth to offer fast, reliable, flexible, and efficient solutions. The airline aims to contribute to Dubai’s position as the world’s largest logistics hub, expanding its fleet and network to better serve global customers.
The year saw the addition of two Boeing 747-400Fs to the fleet, responding to high customer demand, and plans for four new 777-200Fs in 2024 and a fifth in 2025. These expansions are in addition to the order for 310 wide-body passenger aircraft, ensuring continuous growth in cargo capacity through 2035.
Emirates SkyCargo enhanced its global connectivity by extending its reach in Canada and North America through a strategic interline cooperation with Air Canada Cargo.
This partnership allows customers to book shipments via e-SkyCargo, expanding Emirates SkyCargo’s reach to over 60 cities in Canada and more than 150 cities worldwide.
The airline also diversified its product portfolio, launching two bespoke products under its Life Sciences and Healthcare vertical. Emirates Vital and Emirates Medical Devices address specific transportation challenges in healthcare, providing specialized solutions for clinical trials, therapies, and medical devices.
In the realm of digitalization, Emirates SkyCargo expanded its presence on digital marketplaces, with plans for further expansion in 2024. A host-to-host connection with global freight forwarder Kuehne+Nagel was established, providing direct access to Emirates SkyCargo’s products and services on Kuehne+Nagel’s internal booking engine.
Emirates SkyCargo introduced a new brand umbrella, emphasizing its broader contribution to global trade with the campaign ‘The World Works Better with Emirates SkyCargo.’ This mantra reflects the airline’s commitment to providing tangible impact to people and businesses worldwide.
Engaged in humanitarian efforts, Emirates SkyCargo collaborated with the International Humanitarian City to establish an airbridge to Istanbul following earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, ensuring a steady flow of emergency supplies to NGOs on the ground.
As a part of its commitment to sustainability, Emirates SkyCargo focuses on environmentally conscious operations. Achieving the IATA Environmental Assessment Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications in August, the airline continues to lead in preventing illegal wildlife trafficking and prioritizing sustainable practices.
Ending 2023 on a strong note, Emirates SkyCargo is poised for ambitious growth plans, including digital investments, expanding its freighter network with 20 new destinations, and doubling capacity over the next decade.
