Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has added Los Angeles to its network of freighter destinations across the US with the start of a weekly service, joining Chicago, Atlanta and Houston in Emirates SkyCargo’s US freighter network. In addition to freighter flights, Emirates SkyCargo also has belly-hold cargo services to Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington D.C., Boston and Dallas.
“We have a network of ten key cities across the United States, which enables us to provide broad access to the world’s largest economy for businesses across our network, and for American businesses in other parts of the world. The US economy is rebounding and we are seeing an upswing in the demand for air cargo services,” said Hiran Perera, Emirates senior VP cargo planning and freighters.
“Los Angeles ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the US in the amount of air cargo tonnage processed, and handled over 1.7 million tonnes of air cargo valued at nearly US$ 87 billion in 2012, which is indicative of its importance as an air cargo hub. We anticipate good growth out of Los Angeles,” he added.
Emirates SkyCargo is using a B777 Freighter aircraft on the route, which is capable of carrying 103 tonnes of cargo and with its main deck door being the widest of any freighter aircraft, it’s able to uplift outsized cargo and carry larger consignments.
The top exports from Los Angeles are mainly perishables ranging from fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, chilled and frozen meat and seafood, foodstuffs, as well as personal effects, construction equipment and electrical products, while top imports range from textiles, to perishables, electronics and personal effects, Emirates said.
In 2013, Emirates SkyCargo transported a total of 44,452 tonnes of cargo from the US, equalling a 122 tonnes a day, while it carries more than 853 tonnes of cargo from the US to various points across the world each week. The top three exports from the US are machinery, construction equipment and electrical products and its three top imports are apparel, foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals.
