Emirates SkyCargo adds Los Angeles freighter service

EMIRATES SKYCARGO is expanding its freighter network in the USA by starting a weekly B777 freighter service to Los Angeles, writes Thelma Etim, deputy editor.

The Middle East carrier’s other freighter destinations in the USA are Chicago, Atlanta and Houston. 

In addition to these, the freight division also has belly-hold cargo services to Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston and Dallas, says a company statement.

“We have a network of 10 key cities across the United States, which enables us to provide broad access to the world’s largest economy for businesses across our network and for American businesses in other parts of the world. The US economy is rebounding and we are seeing an upswing in the demand for air cargo services,” says Hiran Perera, Emirates’ senior vice-president of cargo planning and freighters.

“Los Angeles ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the US in the amount of air cargo tonnage processed and handled more than 1.9 million tonnes of air cargo valued at nearly US$ 87 bn in 2012, which is indicative of its importance as an air cargo hub. We anticipate good growth out of Los Angeles,” he adds.

Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports – which owns and operates Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and two other airports – comments: “LAX is the primary cargo airport serving Southern California. We welcome Emirates SkyCargo to our region’s vast air-cargo-handling network of airlines, freight forwarders, customs brokers and cargo facilities. We look forward to the economic benefits Emirates SkyCargo’s weekly freighter service will provide”.

The top exports from Los Angeles are mainly perishables ranging from fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, chilled and frozen meat and seafood, as well as construction equipment and electrical products, whilst the top imports range include textiles, perishables and electronics.

Last year, Emirates SkyCargo transported a total of 49,000 tonnes of cargo from the US, equalling a 134 tonnes a day. The freight division carries more than 940 tonnes of cargo from the US to various points across the world each week. 

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