Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of the world’s largest international airline, has strengthened its freighter connections between Europe and key global hubs, reinforcing its role as a critical link between East and West.

Emirates SkyCargo plans to deploy an additional two weekly charter freighters, enhancing the connectivity between Milan and Southeast China, via Dubai, starting Q3 2025.

Anticipated commodities from Milan include fashion and pharmaceuticals, as well as general cargo.

The cargo carrier noted that the current weekly freighter connecting Dubai World Central (DWC), Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) and Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) will now receive an additional stop in Beirut (BEY) before returning to Dubai, enhancing connectivity to the Levant.

Serving as a feeder gateway to and from Western European markets, Emirates SkyCargo said Maastricht is one of the region's busiest cargo hubs, particularly for general cargo and pharmaceuticals, both of which the airline expects to transport to Beirut in large volumes.

Likewise, Zaragoza Airport boasts excellent road and rail connectivity with Spain's main economic and industrial areas, and handles significant volumes of fashion and apparel, which will now move to Beirut more directly.

"Harnessing the power and connectivity of Emirates' global network, a fleet over 260 passenger and freighter aircraft, and a multi-vertical portfolio of specialist logistics solutions, we have the scale and flexibility to keep trade flowing, even in the face of market instability," Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice president, Emirates SkyCargo, said.

"As we receive our new Boeing 777 freighters, we are deploying them quickly and strategically to serve the unwavering demand across our network. Whether by layering on frequencies or adding new route stops, we will continue to evolve our operations, schedule and network in line with global trade patterns, to ensure we provide an unbeatable service to our customers."

Emirates SkyCargo operates more freighter routes in Europe than any other region in its global network, including two cargo-only destinations. These services are supported by passenger flights to 40 locations. With a schedule that includes 45 freighter flights and 545 passenger flights each week, goods from Europe are transported efficiently worldwide.

In the last financial year, Emirates SkyCargo uplifted an average of 6,900 tonnes from Europe every week, strengthening international trade lanes with the movement of pharmaceuticals from Denmark and Belgium, perishables such as fresh salmon from Norway and whisky from Glasgow, valuables from Geneva, automotive shipments from Frankfurt and, of course, general cargo from every destination. 

The carrier said 43% of the volume was transported to the UAE and Middle East, and a further 32% was carried to the Far East and Australasia, highlighting Emirates SkyCargo's vital role as a bridge between European manufacturers, traders and exporters with businesses all over the world.