Emirates SkyCargo expands freighter network across Europe & Asia

Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo powerhouse behind Emirates Airline, as the world’s largest international airline, Emirates is leveraging its Dubai hub to improve trade flow between major manufacturing hubs in Europe and high-demand markets in Asia and the Middle East.

Starting Q3 2025, Emirates SkyCargo will introduce two additional weekly charter freighters between Milan and Southeast China, routed via Dubai. These new services are expected to support the steady demand for high-value shipments such as Italian fashion goods, pharmaceuticals, and general cargo. The move reflects the airline’s commitment to adapting its freighter operations in line with evolving trade patterns and customer needs.

In a further boost to regional connectivity, Emirates SkyCargo’s existing weekly freighter operating on the Dubai World Central (DWC) – Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) – Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ) route will now include an added stop in Beirut (BEY) before returning to Dubai. This expansion aims to strengthen trade corridors to the Levant while also increasing access to Western European export markets.

Maastricht remains one of Europe’s most active cargo hubs, especially for general cargo and pharmaceuticals, which Emirates plans to move in large volumes to Beirut. Similarly, Zaragoza Airport, well-connected to Spain’s industrial and economic centers, handles significant volumes of fashion and apparel commodities expected to benefit from the more direct service to Lebanon.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, stated: “Harnessing the power and connectivity of Emirates’ global network, a fleet of over 260 aircraft, and a multi-vertical logistics portfolio, we have the scale and flexibility to keep trade flowing, even in volatile market conditions. With new Boeing 777 freighters joining the fleet, we’re deploying them quickly and strategically to meet demand and enhance service delivery.”

Currently, Emirates SkyCargo operates more freighter flights to Europe than any other region. Its European network includes two cargo-only destinations and is backed by 45 weekly freighter flights and 545 passenger flights that offer belly-hold capacity. In the previous financial year, Emirates SkyCargo uplifted approximately 6,900 tonnes of cargo from Europe every week. Key commodities included pharmaceuticals from Belgium and Denmark, Norwegian salmon, whisky from Glasgow, valuables from Geneva, and automotive shipments from Frankfurt.

Notably, 43% of this volume was transported to the UAE and Middle East, with another 32% going to the Far East and Australasia, reinforcing Emirates SkyCargo’s role as a crucial bridge between Europe and fast-growing markets across the globe.