Emirates SkyCargo Connecting More US Firms with International Trade Opportunities

Launch of daily flights from Washington DC will stimulate business between seven American gateways and points throughout Emirates; network of 120-plus destinations

 Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, will soon be connecting more American businesses with international opportunities with the addition of a seventh US gateway to global network. Washington DC after the launch of flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle earlier this year, will become the third US destination to join the Emirates SkyCargo network in 2012, injecting further impetus to the burgeoning trade lanes it operates between the US, its United Arab Emirates hub and points across the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Far East and Australasia.

Following the launch of its North American services with New York in 2004 – and the subsequent additions of Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco – Emirates SkyCargo has contributed to the steady growth in trade between the US and the UAE, which in 2011 increased by 43% to hit a record high of $18.34 billion*.

With businesses in states neighbouring all seven points connected by an extensive trucking network, companies in Maryland and Virginia can also expect to receive an economic boost from the service from Washington Dulles International Airport which commences on 12th September and is operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER.

“Emirates SkyCargo, offering the fastest trade link between Washington and the Middle East, will be providing a boost to the American economy by stimulating international trade between countries across our global network of more than 120 destinations,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ Senior Divisional Vice President Cargo. “Our hub is strategically located within eight hours of two-thirds of the world’s population and can connect US businesses to both established trading points in the Far East, as well as emerging markets in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Middle East.”

Goods – including exports of transport equipment, electronic products machinery parts and pharmaceuticals, as well as clothing, household goods, electrical appliances and pharmaceuticals going in the other direction – will be handled at Emirates SkyCargo’s state-of the-art Cargo Mega Terminal, a facility capable of handling 1.2 million tonnes per year.

“With direct daily flights and a range of innovative products and services, as well as a 173-strong fleet of modern wide-body aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo looks forward to providing American businesses with tailor made solutions to their cargo requirements. Washington is just one of 12 destinations to join our network this year. As each one is added, new trade lanes emerge, a trend which is set to continue as the 230-plus aircraft we have on order join our fleet.”

The UAE was the 19th largest export destination for American goods in 2011. US exports to the UAE reached $15.89 billion in 2011; an increase of 36% on 2010. The UAE more than doubled its exports to the US in 2011 to $2.44 billion, an increase of 113% on 2010.*

EK 231 will leave Dubai daily at 2:20 am and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 8:50 am. EK 232 will depart Dulles at 10:55 am arriving in Dubai at 8:00 am the following day.

Washington, DC will be Emirates’ 12th new route to launch in 2012. So far this year, the airline has started services to Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle, Lusaka and Harare, Liege (cargo-only) and Ho Chi Minh City. Flights to Barcelona and Lisbon will start on July 3rd and July 9th respectively. rancisco, Dallas, Seattle and Washington (from 12th September).

Reflecting Emirates’ overall policy of excellence in every area of operation, Emirates SkyCargo’s investment in highly-qualified staff, the very latest information technology, the most efficient aircraft and the finest ground handling facilities, has made it a significant force in the global air cargo industry.

In the 2011-12 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.79 million tonnes of cargo across its network, contributing 16.2 per cent – US$ 2.6 billion – of the airline’s total transport revenue. Based out of Dubai International Airport, its $327million 43,600 square metre Cargo Mega Terminal is designed to handle 1.2 million tonnes of cargo a year.

Emirates’ 173-strong fleet – including eight freighters – is one of the youngest in the skies.

In 2011, the carrier launched seven new routes, including Basra, Erbil (freighter only), Geneva, Copenhagen, St Petersburg, Lome (freighter-only) and Baghdad. Since January 2012, Emirates has introduced services to eight new destinations: Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Dallas, Lusaka, Harare, Liege (freighter-only) and Seattle. Routes to be launched include Ho Chi Minh City (4th June), Barcelona (3rd July), Lisbon (9th July) and Washington DC (12th September).

Emirates SkyCargo currently serves a global route network that spans 123 points in 73 countries, including 12 cargo-only destinations, while more than 50 of the locations Emirates SkyCargo serves are e-freight compliant.