Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its freighter operations across East and Southeast Asia, adding flights and capacity to connect major manufacturing centres with markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas.The Dubai-based air cargo carrier said it moved more than 439,000 tonnes of freight from 12 markets in the region during the 2025-26 financial year, an increase of about 5 per cent over the previous year. The expansion reflects stronger demand from exporters handling high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals, perishables, fashion goods, consumer products and e-commerce shipments.
The carrier is doubling freighter capacity to Narita Airport in Tokyo, raising services from one to two weekly flights. The added capacity is aimed at Japan’s manufacturing base, including automotive, electronics and pharmaceutical companies that depend on fast international logistics and secure handling for time-sensitive cargo.
Hong Kong remains one of the most important points in the network, with Emirates SkyCargo now operating 37 weekly freighter flights to the export-driven hub. The frequency gives forwarders and shippers greater flexibility at a time when demand for reliable air freight capacity has been shaped by e-commerce flows, inventory adjustments and the need for faster supply-chain responses across long-haul trade lanes.
The carrier has also expanded into Central China with three weekly freighter flights from Zhengzhou, linking Henan province’s industrial base with Dubai and onward markets. Zhengzhou has developed into a significant logistics and manufacturing centre, particularly for electronics and high-tech cargo, making it a strategic addition to the airline’s freighter footprint.
Singapore has returned to the freighter network through a weekly service connecting the city-state to Dubai via Mumbai. The route creates another trade link across Asia and supports Singapore’s role as a regional logistics and distribution hub for pharmaceuticals, technology shipments, consumer goods and time-critical industrial cargo.
Taipei will move from one to two weekly freighter flights, reflecting demand for high-tech electronic products from Taiwan. The route is expected to support manufacturers and exporters moving semiconductors, components and other sensitive cargo requiring speed, security and specialist handling.
Bangkok remains served by a weekly freighter, supporting exports ranging from technology products and perishables to fashion and consumer goods. Hanoi continues to receive four weekly freighter flights, giving exporters in Vietnam access to Dubai, the Middle East and other global markets. Vietnam’s export base has expanded through electronics, textiles, footwear, perishables and manufacturing supply chains, increasing its reliance on dependable international freight links.
Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice-president at Emirates SkyCargo, said East and Southeast Asia remain key manufacturing zones for the global economy, making major contributions in high-tech goods, perishables and e-commerce. He said additional freighter flights and an expanded footprint were designed to give exporters faster and safer access to end customers worldwide.
The airline said customers in East and Southeast Asia now have access to more than 12,000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity across its network. That figure includes dedicated freighter flights to 12 cities and wide-body bellyhold capacity from 25 passenger destinations to Dubai and beyond.
Passenger aircraft remain central to the cargo strategy. Emirates SkyCargo uses the lower-deck capacity of the airline’s wide-body fleet on more than 320 weekly passenger flights across East and Southeast Asia, giving shippers a mix of scheduled freighter capacity and high-frequency bellyhold options.
The expansion comes as the global air cargo market adjusts to uneven trade conditions, geopolitical disruptions and changing inventory patterns. Asia-Pacific carriers have been among the strongest performers in industry data this year, with demand supported by cross-border e-commerce, electronics, pharmaceuticals and perishables. Middle East hubs have also retained a pivotal role in linking Asian production centres with Europe, Africa and the Americas.
The move also fits into Emirates SkyCargo’s wider 2026 growth plan. The carrier has been adding Boeing 777 freighters and expanding dedicated cargo routes as it prepares for a larger freighter fleet by the end of the year. New capacity has already been directed towards markets including Central Asia, Europe and North America, alongside deeper activity in Asian trade lanes.
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