Emirates explained in a press release that the 11.3-percent, year-over-year, surge in Australian exports to the United Arab Emirates recorded during 2010-2011 propelled demand for additional services. Perishables foods, such as fruits, meats, vegetables and eggs; building supplies; machine parts; cosmetics; and oils and resins are likely to comprise the key loads on the flights.
“We expect demand to be strong for a variety of commodities going into and out of Adelaide and Dubai, and are keen to build on our role as the first carrier to link Australia and the Middle East with direct services,” Ram Menen, Emirates’ senior vice president of cargo, said in a statement.
Currently, Emirates also serves the Australian cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Europe and Latin America are also on the carrier’s radar, Menen told Air Cargo World last month. After commencing service to Madrid in 2011, Emirates SkyCargo immediately launched a second freighter to the Spanish city. Heightened demand similarly led the carrier to institute nonstop service to Lisbon in July, a move that came only six days after Emirates SkyCargo launched flights to Barcelona.
Menen cited the carrier’s new services to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, as showing immense growth potential, as well. Basically, Menen said, Emirates SkyCargo isn’t looking to expand in one particular region — it’s targeting the entire world. “You can connect the dots,” he told Air Cargo World.