Emirates SkyCargo Adds India Freighters Amid Trade Growth

Emirates SkyCargo is increasing its cargo footprint in South Asia with the deployment of two additional weekly freighter services to India beginning in March 2026, as trade flows between the United Arab Emirates and India continue to expand.

The cargo division of Emirates will introduce a new weekly freighter service to Mumbai starting March 4, 2026, operating on a routing via Dubai and Singapore. In addition, a direct weekly freighter to Ahmedabad will also launch in March. The airline has further confirmed that a dedicated weekly freighter to Dhaka, Bangladesh, will commence operations in April 2026, strengthening its regional cargo network.

Currently, Emirates SkyCargo operates three weekly freighters to India — one to Mumbai and two to Ahmedabad — supplemented by bellyhold capacity on 167 passenger flights serving nine Indian destinations. Combined, these operations support an average weekly cargo uplift of approximately 3,000 tonnes, underlining India’s strategic importance within the carrier’s global network.

The expansion aligns with continued growth under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is approaching its third anniversary. According to data from the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), India’s exports to the UAE reached $37.1 billion in 2024. Emirates SkyCargo currently transports around 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and 500 tonnes of perishables from India each week, alongside substantial volumes of garments, textiles and consumer electronics.

Beyond its air freight operations, the airline maintains a significant ground logistics network across India. In 2025, more than 1,000 trucks moved nearly 5,500 tonnes of cargo, including automotive components, machinery, textiles and spices. The addition of Coimbatore and Goa as offline stations has further enhanced connectivity, with temperature-controlled trucking solutions supporting the safe transport of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

“India is a powerhouse of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, perishables and eCommerce and the demand for reliable and stable capacity continues to grow,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo.

Emirates SkyCargo has served the Indian market since 1985 and now connects nine cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. The carrier recently secured the International Airline of the Year title at the STAT Times International Awards for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its position as a leading cargo operator in the region.

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