Emirates SkyCargo launches Cape Town services

With the launch of the daily service to Cape Town, the freight arm of the Dubai based carrier will further strengthen its long relationship with South African traders.

Trade between the two countries has grown steadily since services between the UAE and South Africa were inaugurated 13 years ago. In 2006 it crossed the Dhs2bn ($562m) mark.

Peter Sedgley, Emirates Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Operations, said:

"Emirates SkyCargo regards the South African market as vital. Testimony to this are the two Boeing 747 freighters we operate into Johannesburg each week, as well as the belly capacity on our 21 passenger flights. We have enjoyed excellent relationships with South African shippers for more than a decade which we look forward to growing with the introduction of non-stop services to Cape Town."

Emirates SkyCargo has carried an average of 12 tonnes a week from Cape Town through its road feeder services to Johannesburg, however with the new direct flights this figure is expected to increase to at least 50 tonnes per week.

With the increasing demand worldwide for fresh and organic foods, especially from the Western Cape, local producers will be able to supply in a more direct manner, which will have an immediate positive economic impact for retailers as the shelf life of these products will now be extended.

Further growth opportunities for the airline will come from the South African cities of Port Elizabeth and East London as well as Namibia, from where a number of queries have already been received.

The primary exports from Cape Town comprise live lobsters, cut flowers and automotive parts bound mainly for Europe and East Asia; hake (fish) to Spain; tuna to the US; abalone and oysters to East Asia and, of course, famous South African wines to customers all over the globe.

The main imports into the city include textiles from Asia; electronics from East Asia and Europe; oil drilling equipment from the US; machinery spares from Europe; cell phones from Scandinavia and computers and computer games from East Asia and the US.

Emirates Cargo Manager South Africa Kum Naicker said: "The market in Cape Town is tremendously excited about the introduction of the new, non-stop services. Emirates SkyCargo has a built a strong reputation for quality service in South Africa and the Cape Town-based traders, which previously trucked freight to Johannesburg, are looking forward to capitalising on the flights directly from their home market."

Cape Town marks Emirates SkyCargo's eighteenth African destination, including freighter services to Johannesburg, Lilongwe, Nairobi, Entebbe, Eldoret, Lagos, Djibouti and Khartoum.
The service will be operated on Boeing 777-200, which will offer an 18-tonne bellyhold cargo capacity in each direction.

Emirates flight EK 770 departs Dubai at 08:15 hours and arrives in Cape Town at 16:25 hours. The return flight, EK 771, leaves Cape Town International Airport at 18:10 hours and touches down at Dubai International Airport at 06:00 hours the following day.