Emirates SkyCargo Reports Solid Cargo Growth for 2025-2026

Why It Matters

The growth underscores Emirates’ ability to capture demand despite lower yields, reinforcing its role as a key global air‑freight player and bolstering Dubai’s logistics hub status.

Key Takeaways

• 2.4 Mt freight moved, 3% YoY increase.
• New 777Fs boosted capacity 13% to 13 aircraft.
• Revenue hit AED 16.2 bn, 12% of Emirates' total.
• Network grew to 44 destinations, adding Bangkok, Budapest, Liège, Tokyo.
• Launched Emirates Courier Express and aerospace logistics suite.

Pulse Analysis

Emirates SkyCargo’s 2025‑26 performance highlights the resilience of the global air‑freight sector amid a challenging market. By integrating five new Boeing 777F aircraft, the carrier lifted its freighter capacity by 13%, enabling it to handle 2.4 million tonnes of cargo—a modest 3% increase but a strategic win in a period where many peers faced capacity constraints. The expanded fleet, now at 13 aircraft with eight more pending, positions Emirates to capitalize on growing demand for high‑value, time‑critical shipments across its extensive network.

Revenue of AED 16.2 billion (about US$4.4 billion) accounted for 12% of the Emirates Group’s total, a notable contribution given the 3% dip in cargo yield per FTKM. The yield decline reflects broader tariff pressures and a slowdown in e‑commerce‑driven freight rates. Nevertheless, Emirates mitigated margin erosion by leveraging its integrated logistics ecosystem in Dubai, offering door‑to‑door solutions and premium services that command higher price points. The launch of Emirates Courier Express and a dedicated aerospace‑engineering logistics suite illustrates a shift toward higher‑margin, specialized cargo segments that can offset yield compression.

Strategically, the carrier broadened its reach to 44 destinations, adding routes to Bangkok, Budapest, Liège and Tokyo Narita while increasing frequencies on existing lanes. This network expansion, coupled with an enhanced trucking footprint, reinforces Dubai’s role as a multimodal hub linking Asia, Europe and the Americas. Looking ahead, the pending delivery of eight additional 777Fs will further boost capacity, supporting Emirates’ long‑term growth agenda and its ambition to dominate premium air‑cargo markets despite a volatile trade environment.