Emirates SkyCargo ready to handle bigger cargo traffic as non-stop LA flights commence

Dubai: With the inaugural Emirates non-stop flight between Dubai and Los Angeles just three days away, Emirates SkyCargo is gearing up for what is set to be a robust route.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the 12th busiest cargo airport in the world, handling 1.88 million tones of cargo last year. Dubai International Airport (DXB) finished one place behind LAX in the rankings at 13th, with 1.66 million tonnes.

Initially operating three times a week, Emirates will fly a Boeing 777-200LR on the route, offering up to 10 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction.

American fruit and vegetable exporters whose produce is expected to account for the majority of the cargo tonnage on the US outbound flight, along with US Postal Service mail, will welcome the new service.

Inbound to the US' second largest city, the main cargoes will be textiles from the Indian subcontinent, courier mail and equipment for the Hollywood film industry.

Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo Ram Menen said, "Emirates SkyCargo is very committed to the US, which has proved a very successful market for us. In June this year we doubled our weekly capacity to Toledo, and upped our Houston flights in February from three times a week to daily.

EK215 will depart Dubai (DXB) at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and arrive in LA (LAX) at 1:55 p.m. EK216 leaves LAX at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, touching down in Dubai at 7:55 p.m. the next day.