Emirates SkyCargo, the air freight wing of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates Airline, has expanded its freighter fleet with two wet-leased Boeing 747-400Fs to meet the global demand for air freight services despite the current market volatility.
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Extended capacity
The airline is expecting 15 more freighters to join its fleet from announced orders and freighter conversion programme, in addition to extended belly-hold capacity from new passenger aircraft deliveries including Airbus A350s in 2024, followed by 777-Xs in 2025.
In an official statement on the carrier’s website, Emirates SkyCargo revealed that it expects to double its existing capacity, add over 20 new destinations to its freighter network over the next decade, as well as offer customers even more flexibility and services with a fleet of over 300 wide-body 777, 777-F, 747-F, A350, and A380 aircraft.
“While the current market volatility may cause others to hesitate, Emirates SkyCargo is pushing full steam ahead with our plans. The medium to long term projections for global air cargo shows an upward trajectory of between 3-5%,” Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President, Nabil Sultan said, highlighting that Dubai’s strategy to double its foreign trade where multi-modal logistics will play a big role, paired with the economic activity happening in markets across the Gulf, West Asia, and Africa regions offers Emirates SkyCargo more prospects for growth.
Sultan further noted that the recently leased 747-Fs will offer the airline immediate capacity, while it awaits the planned deliveries of five 777Fs in 2024 and 2025, and ten 777-300ERs to roll out of its conversion programme over the next five years.
“We believe even these additional planes will not be sufficient! By then, we will have the MRO set up to quickly and efficiently scale up our freighter conversion program if we needed to,” Sultan added.
The two aircraft are currently operating three weekly services to Chicago, and nine weekly flights to Hong Kong, enabling the airline to expand its freighter network and amplify the connectivity with its main network.
