Emirates has passed the 30-year mark for its operations in Sri Lanka.

Emirates now connects Colombo with 34 Boeing 777-300ER flights a week, 27 non-stop including seven continuing to Singapore, and seven via Male. According to SkyCargo, it transports approximately 780 tonnes of cargo per week in each direction.

“West Asia has always been an important growth region for SkyCargo,” said Jassim Saif, vice president of cargo commercial operations in West Asia and Southeast Asia. “Over the past 30 years, we’ve seen the route perform very well, with increasing volumes of cargo carried out of Colombo to important markets in Europe and the Americas via our hub in Dubai. When combined with the efficiency of one of the youngest fleets in the skies, unrivalled ground-handling facilities, and the very latest information technology, Emirates SkyCargo is the ideal partner for Sri Lankan-based businesses as they look to boost trade.”

Main exports include ready-made garments, fruits, vegetables, betel leaves, cut foliage and edible fish, which SkyCargo says accounts for more than 40% of the country’s total air cargo tonnage in perishables.

Colombo was the airline’s fourth destination and was served with a Boeing 727-200. A fourth daily non-stop 777-300ER flight is scheduled to be launched on August 1, 2016.