DUBAI's Emirates Airway registered a double-digit percentage improvement in its cargo volumes in the first half of its financial year as it continued to re-introduce belly capacity following the Covid pandemic.
Between April and September, Emirates SkyCargo saw its cargo volumes increase by 11 per cent year on year to 1 million tonnes of cargo "despite an overall softening in the global cargo market".
The increase reflects a 25 per cent increase in available tonne km as the carrier ramped up passenger services following the pandemic.
Emirates added: "This [volume increase] reflects the cargo division's ability to meet customer demand with specialized products, and the excellent network options on offer with its freighter and bellyhold cargo operations."
The cargo volume performance mirrors that of other carriers with passenger operations - IAG and Lufthansa also saw their cargo volumes increase in the first nine months.
However, declining rates resulted in lower cargo revenues at both of these European airlines despite the volume improvements.
Overall revenues at Emirates - both passenger and cargo - were up 19 per cent to US$16.2 billion and profits improved by 136 per cent on last year to a record $2.6 billion.
Looking ahead, the group said that it was "keeping a close watch on headwinds such as rising fuel prices, the strengthening US dollar, inflationary costs, and geo-politics".
from: shippingazette