Business | Aviation
Emirates starts SA Cargo operations
When Emirates flight 770 takes to the skies on March 30 it will be a momentous occasion for Emirates SkyCargo. With the launch of the daily service to Cape Town, the freight arm of the Dubai-based carrier will further strengthen its long relationship with South African traders.
- Staff Report
- Published: 13:27 March 23, 2008
Dubai: When Emirates flight 770 takes to the skies on March 30 it will be a momentous occasion for Emirates SkyCargo. With the launch of the daily service to Cape Town, the freight arm of the Dubai-based carrier will further strengthen its long relationship with South African traders.
Trade between the two countries has grown steadily since services between the UAE and South Africa were inaugurated 13 years ago. In 2006 it crossed the Dh2 billion ($562 million) mark.
Peter Sedgley, Emirates Senior Vice President of Cargo Commercial Operations, said: “Emirates SkyCargo regards the South African market as vital. Testimony to this are the two Boeing 747 freighters we operate into Johannesburg each week, as well as the belly capacity on our 21 passenger flights. We have enjoyed excellent relationships with South African shippers for more than a decade which we look forward to growing with the introduction of non-stop services to Cape Town.''
Emirates SkyCargo has carried an average of 12 tonnes a week from Cape Town through its road feeder services to Johannesburg, however with the new direct flights this figure is expected to increase to at least 50 tonnes per week.
Cape Town marks Emirates SkyCargo's eighteenth African destination, including freighter services to Johannesburg, Lilongwe, Nairobi, Entebbe, Eldoret, Lagos, Djibouti and Khartoum.
The service will be operated on Boeing 777-200, which will offer an 18-tonne belly hold cargo capacity in each direction.
Emirates flight EK 770 departs Dubai at 08:15 hours and arrives in Cape Town at 16:25 hours. The return flight, EK 771, leaves Cape Town International Airport at 18:10 hours and touches down at Dubai International Airport at 06:00 hours the following day.
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