Emirates SkyCargo has strengthened its commitment to South America. Since March 2026, the carrier has introduced seven additional weekly freighter flights to the region, including three freighter flights to Buenos Aires, one flight to Bogota, two additional flights to São Paulo and one additional flight to Quito. The additional flights have facilitated a significant increase in year-on-year export volumes, with 57% export growth in Argentina, 22% in Brazil, 18% in Colombia and 14% in Ecuador.
Fresh perishables are one of the most important commodities transported by Emirates SkyCargo from South America. Since April 2024, the carrier has moved close to 80,000 tonnes of perishables, including 66,000 tonnes of flowers from the four markets, underlining the accelerating demand for high-quality temperature-sensitive logistics solutions.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “South America is a dynamic emerging hub for exports across a range of sectors including high-quality food products and fresh flowers that rely on fast and reliable air cargo connectivity to reach global customers. Since April this year, we have transported more than 22,000 tonnes of export cargo from our South American markets, a growth of 18% over the volumes carried during the same period in the previous year. By adding seven new freighter frequencies across South America in 2026 and supplementing the bellyhold capacity we provide on our passenger flights, we are driving increased exports and creating new opportunities for businesses to reach customers worldwide while ensuring their products maintain the highest standards of freshness and quality throughout transit.”
Ecuador: Connecting one of the world’s leading flower exporters to global markets
Ecuador remains Emirates SkyCargo’s largest export market in South America and one of the most important origins for fresh flowers worldwide. To support growing demand, the cargo carrier increased its Quito operations by adding a sixth weekly freighter frequency in May 2026, offering a total export capacity of 600 tonnes every week. Freighter flights taking off from Quito connect rapidly to Amsterdam, providing rapid access to one of the world’s largest flower auction and distribution centres.
The additional capacity has supported continued export growth, with cargo volumes from Ecuador increasing 14% in the first half of FY26/27 compared to the same period last year, building on 11% growth recorded between FY24/25 and FY25/26. Since April 2024, Emirates SkyCargo has facilitated the movement of approximately 60,000 tonnes of exports from Ecuador.
Flowers account for more than 90% of all export cargo uplifted from Ecuador by Emirates SkyCargo, highlighting the critical role air freight plays in connecting Ecuadorian floriculture growers to customers across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. During FY25/26 alone, Emirates SkyCargo transported nearly 24,000 tonnes of flowers from Ecuador through its global network.
Colombia: Supporting flower and perishables exports
In May 2026, Emirates SkyCargo launched a weekly freighter service to Bogota, enhancing connectivity for Colombian exporters and providing dedicated main deck capacity for flowers and fresh produce.
The introduction of the service has contributed to sustained export growth, with volumes increasing 18% year-on-year in the first half of FY26/27, following a strong 34% increase between FY24/25 and FY25/26. Since April 2024, Emirates SkyCargo has transported nearly 14,000 tonnes of export cargo from Colombia.
Colombia is also an important flower-origin market in South America. In FY25/26, the carrier transported more than 3,500 tonnes of flowers from the country, supporting producers with reliable access to international markets.
Argentina: Enhanced connectivity unlocks opportunities for exporters
Emirates SkyCargo has scaled up its freighter operations in Argentina. The carrier commenced weekly freighter operations to Buenos Aires in March 2026 and rapidly scaled that up to three weekly freighter flights from July 2026, giving exporters access to markets across Emirates’ network.
The strengthened connections to Buenos Aires have delivered robust growth in exports from the market. Emirates SkyCargo has facilitated an increase of 57% in exports from Argentina in the first half of FY26/27 compared to the previous year. This follows the 8% growth between FY24/25 and FY25/26. Since April 2024, Emirates SkyCargo has facilitated the movement of approximately 5,000 tonnes of exports from Argentina,including perishables such as fresh fruit, salmon and meat products.
Brazil: Expanded freighter network drives export growth
To meet growing customer demand, Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its operations in Brazil to four freighter services per week from Sao Paulo, including two additional frequencies introduced in 2026.
The increased capacity has helped drive a 22% year-on-year increase in exports during the first half of FY26/27, following 11% growth between FY24/25 and FY25/26. Since April 2024, Emirates SkyCargo has transported close to 20,000 tonnes of exports from Brazil, supporting the movement of a broad range of commodities to destinations across its international network.
Expanding fleet and network operations
Emirates SkyCargo’s expansion of freighter operations in South America is part of its ambitious growth plan for its freighter fleet and network. The cargo carrier has taken delivery of seven Boeing 777 production freighter aircraft since March 2026, as well as the first Boeing 777-300ERSF converted from an Emirates passenger aircraft. By the end of March 2027, the carrier will operate a fleet of 23 dedicated freighter aircraft. Globally, the air cargo carrier has expanded its global network of freighter destinations from just over 40 in March 2026 to over 60 by July 2026. In addition to main deck capacity on freighters, Emirates SkyCargo also offers high-frequency connectivity for cargo in the bellyhold of passenger flights across six continents. Over and above scheduled services, Emirates SkyCargo works closely with customers to offer customised solutions, including charter flights to support evolving supply chains.
