Emirates SkyCargo and Kuehne+Nagel have signed a service quality agreement aimed at improving on-time performance across freight operations, setting measurable benchmarks for reliability as part of the airline's broader efficiency efforts.

Emirates SkyCargo said evolving trade patterns are putting greater focus on service reliability, prompting the carrier to track key performance metrics across its cargo operations. The airline said the effort is part of a broader push to strengthen its position as a dependable player in global logistics.

As a member of IATA’s Cargo iQ since 2018, Emirates SkyCargo said it follows a longstanding data-driven performance management roadmap to measure and quantify performance to its customers and partners.

Emirates SkyCargo reported a 96% performance score from January to April 2025, ranking among the highest of the 30 airlines tracked by Cargo iQ. The carrier monitors more than 90% of shipments across its network and handles one of the largest cargo volumes among member airlines.

However, to deliver against the Emirates Gold Standard, Emirates SkyCargo sets internal targets that exceed industry benchmarks.

It noted that in the last financial year, 92% of shipments across Emirates SkyCargo's network were flown as booked, with the figure increasing to 98% for shipments out of Dubai, well above the industry norm of 80%.

"Emirates is built on an ethos of customer centricity and underpins every part of our business. From rapid, seamless connectivity across our vast global network, to expert consultation with our in-house experts, we aim to provide an unbeatable experience for our customers," said Moaza Al Falahi, vice president of cargo customer affairs and service audit, Emirates SkyCargo.

"Through a robust performance management system, we quantify our performance, make quick adjustments where needed to consistently provide a dependable, trusted service for our customers around the world."

Emirates SkyCargo formalized this commitment by signing a Service Quality Agreement with Kuehne+Nagel. The agreement sets high targets for on-time performance during transportation, with several key milestones highlighted to track and measure success, such as the NFD milestone, which confirms that the shipment was transported as expected and the consignee at the destination has been updated.

Emirates noted that its commitment to quality and performance complements Kuehne+Nagel's quality program, launched in 2024, of which Emirates is an important member.

Both initiatives share a common goal of working together with Cargo iQ to elevate standards and advance quality within the industry.

"Our partnership with Emirates SkyCargo is built on a shared commitment to quality, transparency, and customer focus. Signing the Service Quality Agreement marks an important step in further strengthening our collaboration and ensuring measurable excellence across the entire supply chain. With clearly defined performance indicators and a joint focus on continuous improvement, we are creating real value for our customers worldwide," said Thomas Reichmann, global air logistics carrier and procurement manager.