Emirates SkyCargo now operates a weekly brand new B777F aircraft direct from Dubai to and from Düsseldorf. This flight replaces the B747F which was routed via Malpensa. Emirates has also up-sized one of two daily passenger flights from an A330-200 to a B777-ER, which provides an extra seven tonnes of cargo per flight. Marcus Knauf, who has been with the airline for several years, has been appointed cargo manager for Düsseldorf.

Gerton Hulsman, managing director of DUS Cargo Logistics, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Düsseldorf International airport, welcomed the upgraded flights. “We are building our freighter traffic here at Düsseldorf. This new capacity is really good news as the region’s exports are growing fast. We shall be shipping a mix of machinery parts – ships spares, auto parts, etc., pharmaceuticals and much more,” he said.

Germany’s third largest airport serving 180 destinations currently handles nearly 100,000 tonnes of cargo out of a total capacity of 300,000 tonnes per annum. The airport is located in the heart of North Rhine Westphalia, Germany’s leading industrial and commercial region, accounting for around 22 per cent of Germany’s GDP.

Hulsman said cargo traffic through Düsseldorf airport has been picking up over the last few months. “As the tonnage picks up, we are already seeing some positive signs for future business here in Düsseldorf. We are looking to 2010 very optimistically where cargo is concerned.”