OREANDA-NEWS. Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, is set to increase its cargo capacity to Tunis and Abidjan with the introduction of a weekly freighter service from 17th March 2014.

The new freighter flight will supplement the existing belly hold cargo capacity provided on Emirates' daily passenger services to the two cities. Emirates SkyCargo currently offers more than 200 tonnes of capacity each week on the Tunis route, while the flights to Abidjan, which is a linked route with Accra, offers more than 300 tonnes.

Emirates SkyCargo will use one of its Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft on the Dubai-Abidjan-Tunis-Dubai route, which is capable of carrying 103 tonnes of cargo, and with its main deck being the widest of any freighter aircraft at 3,7 metres, it is able to uplift outsized cargo and carry larger consignments. The B777 freighter is one of the most modern and technologically advanced freighters available and has the lowest fuel burn of any comparable size aircraft.

“Africa is a key growth region for Emirates SkyCargo and the additional capacity and frequency of a scheduled freighter service will create new opportunities for businesses in Tunisia and Cote D'Ivoire wanting to tap into new markets in the Emirates network, particularly the Middle East, Asia and the Far East, as well as for customers in our network wanting to increase their trade with the two countries,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.

Imports into Abidjan include electronics and electrical equipment, automotive spare parts, construction equipment and pharmaceuticals, while similar types of cargo are moved into Tunis. Exports from Tunis are perishables, electronics, construction equipment and textiles, while exports from Abidjan are mainly perishables, such as fresh and frozen fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood and other foodstuffs, as well plants, machinery and tools.

Emirates SkyCargo currently operates freighters to 46 destinations around the world, 13 of which are in Africa. These destinations, many of which are also Emirates' passenger destinations include Accra, Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Dakar, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Tripoli, Cairo and Khartoum, while Djibouti, Eldoret, Lilongwe and Kano are freighter only destinations.

Emirates SkyCargo has a fleet of 12 freighters, 10 Boeing 777Fs and two Boeing 747-400ERFs, which from 1st May 2014 will operate from a brand new cargo terminal at Dubai World Central's Al Maktoum International Airport.