The Dubai-based carrier and its Skycargo affiliate have announced a return to its Dubai World Central cargo hub at the end of the month, after nearly two years apart. As the airline ramps up operations following COVID-19, this relocation will give much-needed extra cargo handling capacity.
Emirates SkyCentral is resuming
Another evidence that the worldwide post-pandemic recovery is picking up speed. On March 26th, Emirates SkyCargo will resume cargo operations at its Emirates SkyCentral cargo hub at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) in the city’s south. This facility will primarily serve the company’s 5-strong cargo aircraft fleet. Emirates SkyCargo is the Dubai-based carrier’s dedicated air freight branch, shipping goods to 140 locations around the world using the cargo capacity of Emirates’ passenger fleet as well as its dedicated fleet of Boeing 777 freighters. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Emirates combined its freighter (main deck) and passenger-cargo (belly-hold) operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) due to a significant drop in passenger services in the early stages of the pandemic. This consolidation allowed operations to be simplified at a single location, allowing for minimum manpower to perform continuous handling operations and ensure that important supplies of medical equipment, vaccinations, and other needs could continue to be distributed globally.
Hopes for post-pandemic recovery seem high
As the airline sector recovers from the pandemic, the amount of passengers and cargo moved is likely to increase significantly over the next few years. Emirates has been busy in announcing a stream of services returning to its network in recent weeks, trying to cash in on the resurgence in demand for air travel. Emirates SkyCargo, which has kept its cargo fleet flying throughout the pandemic, will be eager to take advantage of the increase in belly-hold capacity. It will be well-positioned to reprise its role as one of the world’s major air freight hubs with the resumption of its dual-hub SkyCentral operation.
