New Emirates plane responds to growing cargo demand

The arrival of Emirates’ inaugural Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft in Durban last week added 90% to the airline’s cargo capacity, according to Muhammad Cassim, cargo sales executive for SkyCargo – the freight arm of the airline. The airline’s Dubai hub is strategically located within eight hours of two thirds of the world’s population and can connect businesses to both established trading points in the Far East, according to Cassim, as well as emerging markets in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Middle East. In 2011, Emirates SkyCargo carried over 5 240 tonnes of cargo on the route, led by high-value SA exports – which included automobile and shipping and general machinery parts, engineering tools, clothing consumer goods, as well as electronics. “The demand for cargo services is also growing at a rate that cannot be ignored,” said Cassim. In terms of results, Emirates has been bucking the industry trend. Revenue in the 2011-12 financial year was almost 15% up on the previous financial, although profit – severely limited by the uncontrollable cost rise of jet fuel – actually plummeted over 72% from US$1.5 billion in 2010/11 to US$409 million in 2011/12. But this last year has been a strong one for Emirates SkyCargo, Cassim said, with revenues of US$ 2.6 bn, an 8.4% increase on the previous year. “And, with the bulk of the cargo industry reporting downward tonnage, the tonnage actually increased by 1.7%,” he added. “Contributing 16.2% of Emirates’ total transport revenue, Emirates SkyCargo continues to play an integral role in the company’s expanding operations.” The 777-300ER’s first flight out of Durban last Friday night carried 19 tonnes of cargo. “It’s all systems go,” said Cassim.