- Boost for International Trade as Emirates SkyCargo Expands South American Operation
Launch of Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires service will provide increased trade opportunities between Brazil and Argentina and points throughout the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, one of the fastest growing international airlines, has increased its South American operation to meet the growing demand for air freight between the United Arab Emirates and the carrier’s global network.
Following the launch of a daily passenger service from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on 3rd January, Emirates SkyCargo is now able to connect three points in South America with trade opportunities in more than 100 destinations.
In addition to the belly-hold capacity of the 14 passenger flights each week between Dubai and Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires, it also offers cargo space on the 14 passenger flights it operates each week between Dubai and South America’s largest city Sao Paulo.
The capacity on these two routes – both served by Boeing 777-300ERs – is bolstered further by Emirates SkyCargo’s dedicated freighter service to Sao Paulo three times a week, which provides a further 620 tonnes of capacity on Boeing 777Fs.
“Emirates’ new direct flight will not only boost trade ties with the UAE, but also with South America’s main partners in the Far East, such as China, Hong Kong and Japan, and numerous points throughout Europe,” said Robert Siegel, Manager Cargo Commercial – Europe & Americas.
“This new linked service to two of the most economically vibrant cities in South America will present many new business opportunities and reinforces Emirates SkyCargo’s commitment to the market and to the bustling UAE-South America trade route,” added Siegel.
“We also expect to stimulate trade, mainly in pharmaceuticals and automotive parts, between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires – and with Emirates being the only wide-body operator at both destinations, we are also bringing enhanced cargo solutions to the market.”
According to the Arab-Brazilian Trade Board, Brazilian exports to countries in the Middle East totalled US$13.8 billion in 2011, representing a growth of 22% over 2010. Exports to the UAE reached US$2 billion, an increase of 19% on the previous year. Brazilian imports from the Middle East also registered a significant increase, totalling US$9.3 billion, which was a rise of 44% on the previous year.
Meanwhile, the Arab-Argentinean Trade Board said exports from Argentina to the Gulf totalled US$ 877 million in 2011 (January to September), representing a growth of 13% on the same period in 2010, while imports from the Gulf totalled US$ 74 million during these months. Exports to the UAE rose to US$280 million and imports from the UAE hit U$S28 million between January and September 2011.
Also, with the new Emirates SkyCargo service being the only non-stop service from Rio de Janeiro to the Middle East – and the fastest route to Asia – trade is also expected to be generated from other South American countries.
Emirates SkyCargo can connect South American businesses to 19 points in the Far East and Australasia and a further 20 in Africa, where there is also huge potential, especially in Angola, a route which will provide considerable traffic in household goods and consumer products.
Brazilian exports on the route are expected to include chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fresh fruits and fish, and will be transported to the UAE and throughout Europe, to destinations such as France, Italy, Germany, Portugal and the UK, while Hong Kong and China will be the key trading partners in the Far East.
In the other direction, oil and gas spare parts, electronics and their components, are expected to be the leading commodities imported into Rio de Janeiro, mainly from European countries such as Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the UK, and from China and Japan in the Far East.
Emirates’ network is always expanding it will be further enhanced when Harare and Lusaka become its 21st and 22nd African destinations on 1st February, giving it a total of 120 destinations in 72 countries.
EK 247 leaves Dubai daily at 0710hrs and arrives at Rios Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1537hrs. It departs Rio at 1723hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK 248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0123hrs the following day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0310hours, arriving in Dubai at 2250hrs.
