yearsmonthdayEmirates Skycargo Cargo has had a fruitful year in 2023 and this year is also an important year for the business unit to continue to grow and invest in its current and future operations. Convinced that air cargo will continue to play an important role in the world, Emirates has launched important initiatives to achieve long-term strategic growth plans to double its cargo capacity over the next decade and further strengthen its global market position in air logistics. Nabil Sultan, Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo Cargo, said: "2023 has been a big year for Emirates Skycargo Cargo. Despite the continued volatility of the air cargo industry, long-term trends show that the industry is growing at an annual rate of 3-5%. However, Emirates Skycargo Cargo continues to outpace the market, with more than 1,183,000 tonnes of cargo transported between January and mid-December, a solid 7% increase compared to last year. Looking ahead, we are well positioned to steadily scale up our operations in 2024 and continue our strategic growth momentum to continue to provide fast, reliable, flexible and efficient freight solutions to our customers. ”
Extensive global route coverage
In line with Dubai's D33 economic plan, Emirates Skycargo Cargo is helping to elevate Dubai's position as one of the world's key logistics hubs, expanding its fleet and route network to better serve customers around the world. In the first quarter, Emirates Skycargo Cargo leased two Boeing 747-400 full freighters to rapidly increase cargo capacity to meet customer demand growth. The aircraft join Emirates' fleet of 11 Boeing 777 freighters and 251 passenger aircraft.
The fleet will be further expanded, with four new Boeing 777-200 freighters expected to be received in 2024 and a fifth in 2025. In addition, Emirates has an aircraft order book for 310 wide-body aircraft, with deliveries and new cargo capacity continuing until 2035.
Building on its competitive global route network, Emirates Skycargo Cargo has expanded its presence in Canada and North America through a strategic interline partnership with Air Canada Cargo. Customers can now book cargo services operated by Air Canada Cargo flights through e-SkyCargo, expanding Emirates SkyCargo Cargo to more than 60 cities in Canada and more than 150 cities worldwide.
A constantly innovative product portfolio
In May 2023, Emirates SkyCargo Cargo strengthened its product portfolio for different verticals with the launch of two new customised products in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. To meet the unique transportation challenges of the healthcare sector, Emirates Vital is a specialized transportation solution designed for the transportation of clinical trials, cells and genes**, and human samples, while Emirates Medical Devices is able to transport everything from pacemakers to MRI machines in accordance with GDP standards. Since its launch, Emirates SkyCargo Cargo has transported nearly 1,000 tonnes of highly sensitive cargo with these two transport options.
Emirates Delivers has expanded its operations to Kuwait to provide savvy e-commerce buyers with door-to-door international express shipping of imports from the UK and US. Previously unmet demand for e-commerce freight in the Middle East and beyond, emirates delivers saw an opportunity and was poised to significantly scale up in 2024 to provide fast, reliable and cost-effective freight solutions.
Advance your digital strategy
Emirates Skycargo Cargo is fully committed to building a digital lineup for its cargo operations throughout 2023. In addition to building its own booking platform on e-SkyCargo, Emirates' capacity has landed on two sizable digital marketplaces – Cargoai and Webcargo – with plans to further expand its digital presence in early 2024. In October, Emirates Skycargo Cargo entered into a landmark host-to-host direct connection partnership with Global Cargo** Dexun (Kuehne+Nagel) to make its products and services available on Tecson's internal reservation system.
Brand newBrandsDisplay
To highlight Emirates SkyCargo Cargo's significant contribution to the world**, the company has launched a new advertising campaign with the theme: "The world is a better place for Emirates SkyCargo". Emirates Skycargo Cargo is breaking away from the traditional advertising model of the cargo industry with its unique selling point at its core, with the brand tagline "Making the world a better place" to make a real impact on people and businesses around the world.
to the global communityReach out
Emirates SkyCargo is committed to making a positive impact in the global communities it serves, having carried out numerous humanitarian cargo missions. In February, following devastating events in Turkey and Syria**, Emirates SkyCargo partnered with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) to quickly establish an air link to Istanbul. For two weeks, Emirates Skycargo Cargo and International Humanitarian City (IHC) will provide dedicated cargo hold on daily flights to Istanbul, ensuring a steady flow of emergency supplies to local non-leading organisations.
In operationmorePay more attention to environmental protection and sustainable development
Emirates SkyCargo Cargo continues to focus on meaningful sustainability and environmental initiatives that have a positive impact on its own operations and the industry as a whole. From ground-based environmental projects to ensure that 75% of the plastic sheets at the company's Dubai facility are reused**, to optimising how aircraft are loaded, Emirates Skycargo Cargo will keep environmental protection and sustainability at the forefront of its operations in 2024 and beyond.
In August this year, Emirates Group was awarded the IATA Environmental Assessment (IENVA) Phase 1 and IENVA Illegal Wildlife** module certification, with Emirates SkyCargo also making a significant contribution to this. As the first global airline to support the embargo on illegal wildlife, the certification is a recognition of company-wide efforts to achieve this.
As 2023 draws to a close, Emirates SkyCargo isn't slowing down in the slightest. Emirates Skycargo Cargo's ambitious growth plans, including investment in digital capabilities, 20 new destinations to its cargo network and doubling its existing capacity over the next decade, demonstrate the company's confidence in the future of air logistics and its continued commitment to serving customers in a dynamic market environment.