Emirates freight division targets growth with fleet expansion

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates Airlines, expects delivery of up to 10 Boeing 777 freighters by December, driving network expansion.

The division added new Boeing 777 freighters to its fleet last year, allowing the retirement of older aircraft, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported.

Its current fleet comprises 11 Boeing 777 freighters and five wet-leased Boeing 747s, with passenger aircraft entering conversion programmes. In wet leasing, one airline provides an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to another.

By the end of 2026, the company aims to operate at least 21 freighters.

Emirates SkyCargo expanded its freighter network to eight new destinations in 2025, bringing the total destinations to 42 across six continents.  

The company plans to double its current capacity and add 20 new freighter destinations this year, the statement said.

The cargo division is also preparing to introduce hydrogen-powered trucks in early 2026 as part of its drive toward low-emission vehicles.  

In November Emirates said profit before tax rose 17 percent to AED11.4 billion ($3.1 billion) in the first half of 2025-26, compared with AED9.7 billion a year earlier. Revenue increased 6 percent to AED65.6 billion, while operating costs grew by 4 percent year on year. 

Cargo volumes at Emirates SkyCargo grew by 4 percent year on year to 1.3 million tonnes, the airline said. However, cargo yields fell 6 percent as a result of softening demand in some market segments amid tariff concerns.

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