Emirates SkyCargo transports close to a quarter of SL’s total air exports in 2017-18

Emirates SkyCargo, the air cargo unit of Dubai-based Emirates, has transported close to a quarter of Sri Lanka’s produce exported by air in 2017-18, a statement by the airline said.

According to the figures released by the Emirates Colombo office, its freight division transported 27,000 tonnes of cargo from Colombo in 2017-18, a significant 23 percent of the 118,000 tonnes of goods the island exported by air in the year. 

With 28 flights from and into Colombo weekly and the capacity to carry approximately 20 tonnes of cargo in the bellyhold of each Boeing 777 aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo is one of the main carriers of Sri Lanka’s trade commodities.

Edible fish, fruit and vegetables, flowers and other cut foliage and readymade garments are among the principal exports that SkyCargo transports from Sri Lanka to markets around the world. 

An important volume of Sri Lankan exports is perishables and Emirates SkyCargo offers specialised air transport solutions  under the ‘Emirates Fresh’ umbrella that help maintain the freshness of the goods being transported.  

Emirates Fresh is backed by Emirates’ modern fleet of over 270 aircraft, robust processes, experienced staff as well as state-of-the-art cool chain facilities at its hub in Dubai.

“In 2017-18, Emirates SkyCargo carried more than 7,500 tonnes of fish, which is about 40 percent of the 17,500 tonnes of edible fish that Sri Lanka exported to the USA and Europe,” said Emirates Cargo Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives Kapila Santhapriya.  

“Our flight frequencies and our global network reach from Colombo support the local fish and seafood exports industry,” he added. 

The types of fish exported on Emirates SkyCargo include tuna, shrimp, prawns, crabs and lobster to markets including the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands and USA. 

Sri Lankan fisheries exports are valued at close to US $ 250 million. 

In addition to seafood, Emirates SkyCargo also transported 5,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables from the country during the last financial year.  

One of the main export markets for fruits and vegetables from Sri Lanka is the Middle East. Other markets include the Maldives, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and the Seychelles. 

The volume of other general cargo carried by Emirates SkyCargo in 2017-18 was 11,000 tonnes. 

Emirates SkyCargo is the world’s largest international air cargo airline operating a fleet of 257 widebody passenger aircraft and 14 freighter aircraft.