Emirates SkyCargo is scaling up its India operations with the deployment of two additional weekly freighters, one each to Mumbai and Ahmedabad, underlining its long-term commitment to one of its fastest-growing trade corridors.
The cargo arm of Emirates currently uplifts an average of 3,000 tonnes of cargo weekly from India through a combination of dedicated freighters and bellyhold capacity on passenger aircraft. With the new additions, the airline aims to further strengthen connectivity for Indian exporters across key global markets.
Strengthening Key Trade Lanes
At present, Emirates SkyCargo operates three weekly freighters to India, one to Mumbai and two to Ahmedabad, alongside bellyhold capacity on 167 passenger services connecting nine Indian gateways.
The new Mumbai freighter, launching on March 4, 2026, will operate on a Dubai–Singapore–Mumbai routing, enhancing connectivity across Asia and the Middle East. The Ahmedabad service, also commencing in March, will operate as a direct and dedicated freighter.
The additional capacity is expected to support high-value and time-sensitive commodities such as pharmaceuticals, fresh fruits and vegetables, perishables, and personal electronic devices.
Emirates SkyCargo divisional senior VP Badr Abbas said :“Our new freighter frequencies to India reflect both the strength of India’s trade corridors and our long-term commitment to supporting them. India is a powerhouse of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, perishables and eCommerce. Demand for reliable and stable capacity continues to grow, and these additional freighters bolster our existing operations with enhanced connectivity and capacity.”
Riding the CEPA Momentum
The expansion comes as the third anniversary of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement approaches. Bilateral trade between the two countries has seen sustained growth, with India’s exports to the UAE outpacing its overall export growth rate.
Emirates SkyCargo plays a pivotal role in supporting this trade flow, transporting approximately 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and 500 tonnes of perishables weekly, in addition to significant volumes of garments, textiles and personal electronics such as mobile phones and laptops.
Expanding Beyond Airlift
Beyond aircraft capacity, Emirates SkyCargo has developed an extensive trucking network to connect offline destinations across India to its global network. In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 Emirates SkyCargo trucks transported nearly 5,500 tonnes of cargo within India.
Shipments ranged from automotive and aircraft spare parts to textiles, machinery, spices — and even a satellite. The deployment of temperature-controlled reefer trucks has further strengthened the airline’s ability to handle sensitive pharmaceutical and medical cargo.
The airline recently added Coimbatore and Goa as offline road network stations, broadening access for exporters in these regions. Coimbatore, in particular, is emerging as a key manufacturing hub with a strong SME base spanning engineering, textiles and automotive components, sectors that stand to benefit from enhanced global connectivity.
A Growing Indian Footprint
Since launching operations to Mumbai and Delhi in 1985, Emirates SkyCargo has steadily expanded its India footprint. It now serves nine cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. India’s Cargo Open Sky policy for exports has further enabled the airline to grow its outbound capabilities, linking primary and secondary cities to its well-established global network.