Emirates SkyCargo takes delivery of its first Airbus A310 freighter

Emirates SkyCargo took delivery of the first of its three Airbus A310-300Fs from EADS EFW, at the latter's facility in Dresden, Germany.

Ram Menen, Emirates' senior vice-president, Cargo, said: "This represents the first Airbus freighter in our fleet.

"We are now the launch customer for Airbus freighters with side-by-side loading capability of 96"x125" pallets.

The A310F has a High Gross Maximum Take-off Weight of 164 tonnes, a significant improvement over other freighter versions. Complementing its current fleet of Boeing 747s, the Airbus A310Fs are designed to rationalise payloads, increase flexibility and provide quicker turnarounds.

The A310Fs are expected to enhance Dubai's role as a regional cargo hub.

The wide-bodied A310-300F, with the Emirates SkyCargo logo emblazoned on its body, has a gross payload of 39 tonnes.

The aircraft also has Auxiliary Centre Tanks to increase its range, enabling one-stop operations from Dubai to the US and countries in the South Pacific.

The two A310-300Fs on order will enter Emirates' fleet by the end of the year.

The A310Fs are designed to be A380F-friendly. The A310F's capability to use standard cargo containers represents maximum interlining potential with Emirates' two gigantic A380Fs, expected to enter the fleet in 2008.

The six wet-leased Boeing 747s, the first A310F, and orders for four more Airbus freighters two A310Fs and two A380Fs will expand Emirates SkyCargo's total freighter fleet to 11 aircraft.