Emirates SkyCargo said it took delivery of its latest Boeing 777-F to boost its fleet capacity and support what it described as a "phenomenal growth" in the industry.

Emirates' freight division noted that it has seen a significant increase in cargo loads across its products, including pharma and fresh produce.

Increase in pharma, fresh produce

It said that in 2021-2022, annual tonnage carried crossed 2.1 million, an increase of 15%, with the transport of perishables crossing 260,000 tonnes, and both pharma and valuable goods each growing by 17%.

"The new freighter will help increase our capacity and boost our ability to deliver vital goods and facilitate trade globally," said Nabil Sultan, divisional Senior vice president of Emirates SkyCargo.

"Despite the challenging headwinds this year, the air cargo industry is booming and we've been flat out since the pandemic began," he added, noting that Emirates SkyCargo will continue to invest in its fleet, global network, technology, and logistics infrastructure at its Dubai hub.

Emirates noted that most global markets are experiencing an increase in demand, including China.

Four more freighters for China

It said that due to this, Emirates SkyCargo will now serve China with an additional four freighter flights every week.

From this week, Shanghai will be served with six direct flights, Beijing with two, and Guangzhou with four, adding more than 400 tonnes of cargo to and from China, the cargo carrier added.

"Plans are also afoot to increase frequencies to Hanoi and Sydney with direct services. Additional frequencies to Nairobi are also earmarked to be part of a freighter multi-stop route from DWC to Eldoret International Airport in Kenya," Emirates SkyCargo added, noting that the flight then hops to Nairobi before heading north to Maastricht, Netherlands, and then to Zaragoza, Spain before the 777F returns home to DWC.

The carrier said at each stop, the freighter unloads and reloads with various types of cargo including, flowers, textiles, and pharma. 

"The brand new freighter, A6-EFU, will maintain the fleet total at 11 Boeing 777Fs because A6-EFG went back to its lessor last week," it further said.

Emirates SkyCargo noted that its Boeing 777-F and 777 Mini-Freighter aircraft have flown nearly 950 charter flights in the last 12 months while continuing to serve the airline's over 130 passengers and 11 dedicated freighter destinations.

Emirates SkyCargo also offers shippers cargo belly-hold space in the airline's passenger fleet of close to 210 wide-body Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s.

"Preighter" conversion plans underway

"Plans are also already underway to convert 10 passenger 777s into freighters, boosting the cargo fleet to 21 by the end of 2026," Emirates added.

Emirates SkyCargo was the launch customer for the Boeing 777-F and the aircraft has been at the heart of the carrier's operations since 2009.

The carrier noted that the aircraft's range and payload capabilities allow time and temperature-sensitive shipments to be transported rapidly and efficiently from origin to destination.