Emirates SkyCargo expands PH exports with regional boost

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Emirates SkyCargo has increased its air freight capacity across East and Southeast Asia, providing Philippine exporters with greater access to global markets through a robust regional network.

With the launch of new passenger services to Hangzhou, China, Emirates SkyCargo now offers more than 21,000 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity across 25 gateways in 12 countries and territories in East and Southeast Asia.

This includes 44 weekly dedicated freighter flights, 13 weekly charter services, and 311 weekly passenger flights, which also carry cargo in their bellyholds.

An Emirates aircraft now departs East or Southeast Asia roughly every 30 minutes, offering regular and dependable cargo uplift for exporters in the Philippines.

“East and Southeast Asia are not just anchors of our global network — they are shaping the future of global logistics, and global trade,” said Abdulla Alkhallafi, Vice President of Cargo Commercial, Far East and Australasia.

“From cutting-edge manufacturing hubs to high-growth consumer markets, the region drives the pace of trade. Our strategic growth strategy and continued investment in East Asia and Southeast Asia reflects this as we remain laser-focused on building the capacity, routes and partnerships to best serve the exponential demand,” he added.

In the Philippines, Emirates SkyCargo operates 32 weekly passenger flights that also carry cargo. These flights support key sectors including electronics, garments, tropical fruits, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and fast-growing e-commerce parcels.

Between 2024 and 2025, the airline transported more than 14,395 tonnes of goods from the Philippines, enabling fast and reliable international market access.

This connectivity is part of what Emirates refers to as the “Aerial Silk Road,” a network of air routes and logistics hubs modeled after historical overland and maritime trade routes. The airline’s network spans over 145 destinations and supports more than 50 countries participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

To extend its reach further, Emirates SkyCargo has partnered with Teleport, AirAsia’s exclusive cargo partner, allowing access to over 100 regional airports and enhancing connections from Southeast Asia to Europe, North America, and beyond.

The airline has also set industry milestones in Asia. In 2002, Emirates SkyCargo launched the first direct air cargo link between the Middle East and the Chinese mainland with freighter services to Shanghai. In 2025, it began the first scheduled freighter service between Japan’s Narita International Airport and the Middle East.

These flights have been used to transport a wide range of goods including pharmaceuticals, semiconductor components, and heavy machinery.

Looking ahead, Emirates SkyCargo’s 10-year growth plan prioritizes further investment in East and Southeast Asia, with additional flights and new routes expected to deepen global supply chain connectivity and support economic expansion across the region, including the Philippines.