Emirates was not joking: Airline launches Courier Express service after April Fool’s Day speculation

Dubai: We got to love Emirates for turning the tables this time around. Dubai’s flagship carrier, notoriously famous for its April Fool’s Day pranks, teased a new service on its social media platforms on Tuesday, April 1. Turns out, the world’s biggest airline was not joking.

On Wednesday, Emirates officially launched Emirates Courier Express - an end-to-end delivery solution – just ahead of IATA’s World Cargo Symposium, which will be held in Dubai from April 15 to 17 this month.

The service aims to deliver door-to-door packages, leveraging Emirates’ 250+ aircraft and partner network. Emirates Courier Express intends to address customer transportation needs across various scales, it said in a statement.

Available in 7 markets

Over the past year, pilot testing with global clients saw thousands of packages moved from regions including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, with an average delivery time of under 48 hours. Now, it said that Emirates Courier Express is open for business, for businesses.

 Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said Emirates Courier Express represents an evolution in the airline’s global goods movement strategy. He said, “This is only the beginning of our vision to continuously innovate and lead the charge in the express delivery sector.”

The service will offer direct point-to-point shipping, bypassing the traditional hub-and-spoke model to reduce transit times and handling. Service levels will range from next-day to two-day delivery.

Initially available in seven markets, Emirates Courier Express plans further expansion, aligning with Emirates’ flight network. The service will utilise widebody passenger and freighter aircraft and integrated partner networks for customs and last-mile delivery.

The airline has yet to reveal the names of the seven markets it would be operating in; however, it could include the three regions where Emirates conducted pilot testing for the service.

How will it work?

The carrier has highlighted the digital nature of the service, with a platform designed for integration with customer systems, offering tracking and real-time updates. Businesses can register on the website - https://www.emiratescx.com/ - for a free business account.

Emirates said the delivery service can be customised based on the needs of individual businesses.

The airline has advertised two services on the platform – First, which offers next-business-day delivery for time-sensitive shipments, offering a maximum weight of 30 kg per package and priority delivery.

The Premium package is perfect for businesses with set delivery schedules. It offers express delivery in 2-4 business days; the maximum weight is 70 kg per package.

What can it be used for?

Unlike regular courier services, the airline’s global shipping network backs the new service, which ensures quick customs clearance and smooth transportation from start to finish. This means packages move faster and more efficiently, even during busy seasons, helping businesses plan and budget better, said Emirates.

The service is designed for various shipments, including fashion, electronics, and medical supplies. Special temperature-controlled options are also available for sensitive items like medicines and vaccines.

A major advantage of Emirates Courier Express is its fully digital system. Customers can book shipments online, track their packages in real-time, and integrate the service into their business operations.

Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation at Emirates SkyCargo, said, “Emirates Courier Express is the result of challenging the status quo. Along with the industry, we watched the increasing volumes of cross-border shipping. We challenged ourselves to find a better way to transport these goods faster and more efficiently.”

Over the years, Dubai has firmly established itself as a significant global courier and logistics hub. According to IATA's February 2025 air cargo markets report, globally, air cargo demand saw a slight decline of 0.1 per cent compared to February 2024, marking the first decrease since mid-2023. , Middle Eastern carriers experienced an 11.9 per cent year-on-year decrease in demand growth in February.

"Rising trade tensions are, of course, a concern for air cargo. With equity markets already showing discomfort, we urge governments to focus on dialogue over tariffs,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.