New Destination Opens Strategic Access to Pacific Rim and Japan
DUBAI, U.A.E - In order to meet the strong demand for services in the Pacific Rim and to Japan, Emirates SkyCargo will launch services to Nagoya, Japan on the 1st of June, 2006. The expansion marks a step towards enhancing economic partnerships between Japan and the Middle East, while further providing an essential air link to the industrial heartland of Japan.
Initially, cargo services to and from Nagoya will be carried as belly-hold freight on the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, switching to the A340 500 on 29th October. The service will run daily starting 1st July, 2006.
Nagoya and its surrounding area, positioned in Japan's central region, accounts for nearly one quarter of all product shipments, which adds up to a very high demand for cargo capacity. The destination is also home to most of the Japanese automobile and consumer goods manufacturers.
Emirates SkyCargo will carry automobile parts and spares, consumer electronics and office equipment from Japan to the Middle East, Europe and Africa. To Japan, the division will transport perishable foods, frozen salmon and tuna, cut flowers, nuts, carpets and pet food.
The Central Japan International Airport (Centrair) opened in February 2005, built on reclaimed land. As an international airport operating 24 hours a day, it plays a major role in linking Japan's industrial heartland with the rest of the world.
The Centrair cargo area has a handling capacity more than double that of the previous Nagoya airport and is positioned to be the distribution hub of Central Japan. Centrair has excellent road, sea and rail links to Nagoya and beyond to towns throughout the central region.
"Nagoya and the surrounding region is a leader for Japan's industrial and manufacturing sectors. Vast quantities of air cargo move through, and are produced in the area. The city's central location and the recent opening of its Central Japan International Airport provide strong growth opportunities for us," said Peter Sedgley, Vice President, Emirates Cargo Commercial Operations.
Emirates SkyCargo utilises cargo hold capacity in Emirates' passenger fleet, now numbering 93 aircraft, including nine dedicated freighters. Emirates' freighter fleet serves cargo-only destinations such as Lilongwe (Malawi), Gothenburg, Amsterdam, Bangalore, and Taipei. Other routes served by its freighters include Zurich, Rome, Vienna, Entebbe, New York, Milan, Frankfurt, Dsseldorf, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Khartoum, Istanbul, Islamabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Lahore, Dhaka, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.
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About Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates' 93-strong fleet, which includes 83 wide-bodied passenger jets is one of the youngest in the skies. Emirates SkyCargo's fleet includes nine freighters (three A310-300Fs, five Boeing 747-400Fs and one 747-200F) and now serves 83 destinations in 57 countries in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East.
In the financial year 2005-06, Emirates SkyCargo set a new record with over one million tonnes of cargo carried, up more than 180,000 tonnes, or 21.5 per cent from last year's 838,400 tonnes - reflecting strong growth from across the network. The cargo division's revenue of Dhs 4.5 billion ($1.2 billion) was Dhs 1 billion ($274 million) or 29.2 per cent higher than the year before, and contributed 21.2 per cent to the airline's transport revenue.
During the year, four freighter aircraft - one Boeing 747-400F and three A310-300Fs - were added to the fleet. Scheduled freighters now operate to more than 25 destinations.
In 2006, the carrier has already won a clutch of awards: 'Best Cargo Airline to the Middle East' (18th year running), 'Best Cargo Airline to the Far East' (2nd year running), and 'Best Cargo Airline to Australia', at the prestigious Cargo Airline of the Year Awards 2006 from Air Cargo News. It was also named top carrier on the German market in the Aircargo Performance Study and secured 'Best Air Cargo Carrier - Middle East' (4th year running) at the Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) from Cargo News Asia. In 2005, the carrier also secured an award for 'Best Cargo Airline to the Indian subcontinent' (8th year) at the Cargo Airline of the Year Awards from Air Cargo News and the 'Air Cargo Carrier of the Year' from IFW, UK, (2nd year running).
Emirates SkyCargo's Priority Service assures on-time delivery throughout the world, while the extensive trucking and off-line partner networks ensure comprehensive coverage where customers need it most. SkyChain, the one-stop web shop with many value-added features, enables customers to obtain information as well as transact business online.
Contact:
Sarah Shaughnessy,
Corporate Communications,
Tel: (+9714) 203.3975,
Mob: (+97150) 867.0339;
Email: sarah.shaughnessy@emirates.com
Visit: www.emirates.com
© Press Release 2006
