Emirates SkyCargo launches weekly freighter flights to Almaty

Emirates SkyCargo will launch a dedicated weekly freighter service to Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan from June 16, 2026, marking the carrier’s first cargo destination in Central Asia. The new Boeing 777F operation will connect Almaty with Emirates SkyCargo’s global network through Dubai, creating a new trade corridor between Central Asia and international markets.

The move expands the cargo division’s reach into a region that is gaining importance as a commercial and logistics centre. Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, serves as a key economic gateway for Central Asia and plays a growing role in regional trade flows. The weekly freighter service, scheduled to operate every Tuesday, will provide more than 100 tonnes of cargo capacity each week.

The new service is expected to facilitate the movement of a range of commodities, including electronics, perishables, machinery and consumer goods. By linking Almaty directly to Dubai, Emirates SkyCargo aims to provide exporters and importers in Kazakhstan and neighbouring markets with access to its worldwide cargo network.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, said, "Emirates SkyCargo’s weekly freighter service to Almaty is in line with our role as a global trade facilitator and is an important step in expanding our network and connectivity to Central Asia, a region that is experiencing dynamic growth. Our flights will provide new opportunities for businesses in Almaty and the surrounding region to scale their international operations while allowing our global customers convenient and rapid wide-body cargo connectivity to a strategic marketplace. The expansion into Almaty supports our long-term growth strategy and D33 Dubai Economic Agenda objectives, accelerating foreign trade and Dubai's standing as a global logistics hub.”

The launch forms part of Emirates SkyCargo’s wider strategy to expand its freighter operations and strengthen its global network in response to rising demand for air cargo services. The carrier has taken delivery of four Boeing 777 freighters since March 2026 and expects six more aircraft before the end of the year.

Emirates SkyCargo anticipates that the addition of new aircraft will increase its freighter fleet to 21 by December 2026. The airline expects the expansion to enhance its capacity across key trade lanes and improve connectivity between emerging and established markets.

Alongside its freighter operations, Emirates SkyCargo continues to offer cargo capacity through the bellyhold space of Emirates passenger aircraft. Combined with its dedicated freighter fleet, the carrier serves destinations across six continents, providing customers with multiple options for moving freight through its Dubai hub.

The addition of Almaty to the network reflects the growing importance of Central Asia in global supply chains and highlights increasing efforts by airlines to connect the region with international manufacturing, consumer and distribution markets.