Emirates SkyCargo widens Asian freight reach

Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its freighter network across East and Southeast Asia, adding capacity on key manufacturing corridors as exporters seek faster links to markets across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

The Dubai-based carrier said it moved more than 439,000 tonnes of cargo on freighter and passenger flights from 12 markets in East and Southeast Asia during FY2025/26, an increase of about 5 per cent over the previous financial year. The expansion reflects rising demand from manufacturers, e-commerce platforms, electronics producers, pharmaceutical suppliers and perishables exporters looking for reliable long-haul air cargo routes through Dubai.

The latest changes include higher freighter frequencies to Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, reinforcing Emirates SkyCargo’s position on trade lanes linking Asia’s production centres with consumer and industrial markets across six continents. Customers in the region now have access to more than 12,000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity through dedicated freighters and bellyhold space on passenger aircraft.

Narita Airport in Tokyo will see freighter capacity double from one to two weekly services, strengthening support for Japan’s automotive, electronics and pharmaceutical sectors. Hong Kong, one of the world’s most important export and logistics hubs, will be served by 37 weekly freighter flights, giving shippers greater flexibility on high-volume routes.

The carrier has also expanded into central China with three weekly flights from Zhengzhou, a major industrial and logistics centre in Henan province. Zhengzhou has built a strong role in electronics manufacturing and cross-border e-commerce, making air freight capacity a key part of its export model.

Singapore freighter operations have resumed with a weekly service connecting to Dubai via Mumbai, creating a trade lane across Asia and supporting movement between Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Gulf. Taiwan will see freighter services to Taipei rise from one weekly flight to two, driven by demand for high-tech electronic cargo.

Bangkok continues to be served by a weekly freighter operation carrying technology products, perishables, fashion and consumer goods, while Hanoi remains on four weekly freighter services. Vietnam’s role as a manufacturing and export base has expanded sharply over the past decade, particularly in electronics, textiles, footwear, seafood and fresh produce.

Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice-president at Emirates SkyCargo, said East and Southeast Asia were central to global production, including high-tech goods, perishables and e-commerce flows. He said additional freighter flights and a wider freighter footprint would help exporters move goods quickly and securely to end customers worldwide.

The expansion comes as global air cargo demand has shown resilience despite pressure from tariff uncertainty, supply-chain disruption and geopolitical risk. Air cargo demand rose in April 2026 after a difficult period for several Gulf-linked routes, with Asian trade flows helping offset weakness in some other corridors. The sector continues to benefit from demand for high-value, time-sensitive goods, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, fresh food, automotive components and fashion products.

Emirates SkyCargo’s strategy combines dedicated freighter operations with bellyhold capacity on wide-body passenger flights. Across East and Southeast Asia, the carrier offers capacity on more than 320 passenger flights each week, allowing exporters to use both scheduled passenger services and main-deck freighter space depending on shipment size, urgency and handling needs.

The company’s specialist products are central to the Asia expansion. Emirates Vulnerable supports secure movement of high-value electronics and product launches, Emirates Fresh handles perishables and fresh produce, while Emirates Pharma and Emirates Vital cover temperature-sensitive medicines, clinical trials and bio-innovation materials. These categories are among the fastest-growing segments in international air freight as supply chains become more specialised and time-sensitive.

The carrier has been adding aircraft and routes as part of a wider growth plan. During FY2025/26, Emirates SkyCargo carried 2.4 million tonnes of freight globally, up 3 per cent year on year. Revenue from the cargo division reached AED16.2 billion, while new Boeing 777 freighter deliveries lifted freighter capacity. The freighter network also expanded to 44 destinations, with services added or strengthened across Europe, Asia and North America.