TNT Express and Dubai-based Emirates SkyCargo have signed an agreement under which the cargo carrier will lease a Boeing 747-400 ERF freighter from the company’s European fleet – TNT Airways. The new contract was sealed with the arrival of the first UAE dedicated TNT aircraft.

“The arrival of this brand new TNTowned aircraft into Dubai is a significant milestone for us and will help strengthen our presence in the Middle East market which is one of our fastest growing segments,” said Martyn Wright, managing director-Gulf, TNT Express. “It will initially service one of Emirates SkyCargo’s busiest routes from Milan to Dubai before embarking for Dusseldorf.”

This is the first of two TNT aircraft that will transit through Dubai. The weekly Sunday service will increase to three operations a week by summer this year. TNT’s Boeing 747-400 ERF also operates four times a week between Shanghai and the company’s European Air Hub in Liège, Belgium.