Despite the extended shutdown of factories owing to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Emirates SkyCargo has reported “good demand” for the import and export of cargo into the Chinese market.
The Air cargo carrier runs freighter services to Guangzhou and Shanghai.They resumed their services after stalling them for a stipulated period of time over the Lunar New Year holidays in China.
Many factories are now resuming operations while there has been reduction in belly cargo capacity owing to the cancellation of a host of passenger services.
This will most likely contribute to increased demand for those airlines able to offer freighter capacity.
“Emirates SkyCargo continues to support trade and movement of goods into the Chinese market and is committed to supporting China’s diverse distribution needs and supply chains through our freighter operations to Shanghai and Guangzhou.”
Hiran Perera, Emirates Senior Vice President, Cargo Planning and Freighters
“We are a market-oriented carrier and are ready to fulfill the growing needs of our customers. We will constantly review our operations to ensure that we are able to support the Chinese market by deploying adequate capacity through our freighters, and also continue to carry bellyhold cargo on our double daily flights between Beijing and Dubai,” he added.
The flights to China run on Emirates’ Boeing 777 freighter aircraft with a cargo capacity of around 100 tonnes for exports and imports on each flight.
Emirates SkyCargo has been regularly operating freighter services to Hong Kong . Recently, they piloted a charter flight to carry relief materials apart from their scheduled services.
Commodities being currently transported on the freighter flights include perishable food items, pharma, medical supplies and other general cargo.