newstodate.aero
DEC 15, 2004 (newstodate): Dedicated freighters have proved their worth with Emirates SkyCargo, changing strategies from supplementary to core assets.
The company recently announced the decision to take in three own Airbus freighters while so far only operating leased aircraft.
-Initially, Emirates' dedicated Boeing 747 freighters were wet-leased purely to supplement the belly-hold capacity in its passenger aircraft. In the last financial year that ended on 31st March 2004, however, our freighters came into their own to become a mainstream revenue generator, contributing 30 per cent, or USD 196 million of the total cargo revenue of USD 653 million, says Sheba Koonan, Emirates Media Relations.
-Emirates' long term plan always seeks to maintain a strong balance sheet, and to this end we maintain a judicious mix of leased and owned aircraft on our fleet. Emirates SkyCargo has experienced strong annual growth figures at an average of 30 per cent year on year. We have a watertight business case for its outright purchase and conversion. The economics are sound and the timing is right, she says.
-We are looking at using the freighters on regional routes including the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Africa and Med routes, and are in the process of finalising specific destinations, says Sheba Koonan.
The company recently announced the decision to take in three own Airbus freighters while so far only operating leased aircraft.
-Initially, Emirates' dedicated Boeing 747 freighters were wet-leased purely to supplement the belly-hold capacity in its passenger aircraft. In the last financial year that ended on 31st March 2004, however, our freighters came into their own to become a mainstream revenue generator, contributing 30 per cent, or USD 196 million of the total cargo revenue of USD 653 million, says Sheba Koonan, Emirates Media Relations.
-Emirates' long term plan always seeks to maintain a strong balance sheet, and to this end we maintain a judicious mix of leased and owned aircraft on our fleet. Emirates SkyCargo has experienced strong annual growth figures at an average of 30 per cent year on year. We have a watertight business case for its outright purchase and conversion. The economics are sound and the timing is right, she says.
-We are looking at using the freighters on regional routes including the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Africa and Med routes, and are in the process of finalising specific destinations, says Sheba Koonan.