Emirates Airline unveiled plans to grow the number of flights across its network by 14 per cent in 2009, increasing cargo capacity by 17 per cent.

In the next 12 months, Emirates SkyCargo will take delivery of two new, state-of-the-art Boeing 777 freighters, the largest twin-engine aircraft in the world. In addition, 18 new wide-bodied passenger aircraft will be added to the Emirates fleet, enabling Emirates SkyCargo to increase frequencies and capacity on many existing routes. Emirates currently has a fleet of 129 wide-bodied aircraft, including eight freighters.

Ram Menen, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, said: “The last two years have not been easy for the air cargo industry, but we hope to see some stability return in the coming months. For Emirates SkyCargo, 2009 will be a year of consolidation.

Emirates SkyCargo recently commenced a weekly Boeing 747-400 freighter flight to Lagos. In recent months, Emirates SkyCargo has increased capacity from its Dubai hub to India to more than 2,500 tonnes a week. As new aircraft come online, the weekly cargo capacity will increase to the tune of approximately 10 per cent to Europe; four per cent to Australia; 17 per cent to the Middle East, 15 per cent to Africa; while capacity into the US will grow eight per cent when the thrice weekly services to Los Angeles and San Francisco go daily from May.

In total, the additional capacity will see more than 700 tonnes of cargo capacity added to the Emirates fleet.

Emirates SkyCargo directly serves 101 cities in 61 countries on six continents. In February 2008 cargo operations were moved to the custom designed Cargo Mega Terminal, a fully automated facility which boasts a 43,000 sq metre processing area (including 6,000 sq metres for temperature-sensitive cargo), 10,000 warehouse pallet positions, 2,400 ULD storage locations, modern handling equipment and systems. The facility has an annual throughput capacity of 1.2 million tonnes.

Emirates SkyCargo is represented in Malta by Cassar & Cooper Limited. Emirates flies on a daily schedule from Malta to Dubai via Larnaca, Cyprus. Enquiries on Emirates SkyCargo can be made at Air Cargo House, Ganni Vassallo Street, Luqa, on telephone number 21 66-0102, or at

[email protected].