Emirates SkyCargo
One of the world’s largest cargo carriers — operating from Dubai (DXB/DWC) with Boeing 777F freighters and belly-hold capacity on 250+ wide-body passenger aircraft connecting 140+ destinations worldwide.
Specialised Cargo Services
Key Hub: Dubai International (DXB)
Dubai’s location between East and West makes it the world’s premier cargo transshipment hub. Emirates SkyCargo’s Cargo Mega Terminal handles 2.5 million tonnes annually. The dual-hub model with DWC provides overflow capacity and dedicated freighter operations. Same-day connections available between Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
▶ Is Emirates SkyCargo one of the biggest cargo airlines?
Yes — Emirates SkyCargo consistently ranks in the global top 5 by freight tonne-kilometres. Their combination of dedicated B777F freighters and the world’s largest wide-body passenger fleet (A380s and B777s) provides unmatched belly-hold capacity on virtually every major global trade lane.
▶ What is the cargo capacity of the Emirates A380?
The Emirates A380 can carry up to 20 tonnes of belly-hold cargo per flight — more than most narrow-body freighter aircraft. With multiple daily A380 departures on key routes (London, New York, Sydney), this provides significant cargo capacity alongside passenger operations.
▶ How does Emirates SkyCargo handle e-commerce shipments?
Emirates SkyCargo has invested heavily in e-commerce logistics, offering dedicated handling for cross-border parcels and small packages. The Dubai hub acts as a consolidation point for e-commerce shipments between Asia and Europe/Americas. Processing zones at DWC offer streamlined customs for high-volume shippers.
▶ What are transit times from Europe to Asia via Dubai?
Typical Europe-Dubai flight time is 6–7 hours, plus Dubai–Asia varies from 4 hours (India) to 8 hours (China/Japan). With cargo processing, expect 48–72 hours total transit for standard shipments. Express services can achieve faster times.
How pricing works when you ship with Emirates SkyCargo
Chargeable Weight Calculation
Emirates SkyCargo uses dimensional weight for cargo planning and pricing. The volumetric divisor is 6000 cm³ per kilogram. Your chargeable weight is the greater of actual weight or calculated volumetric weight.
| Example: Automotive parts shipment via Dubai hub |
| Length: 120 cm | Width: 80 cm | Height: 50 cm Volumetric weight = (120 × 80 × 50) / 6000 = 80 kg Actual weight: 65 kg Chargeable weight: 80 kg (volumetric applies) |
Weight Thresholds and Pricing
Emirates SkyCargo applies tiered pricing based on total shipment weight. Larger consolidated shipments benefit from progressively lower per-kilogram rates:
- Up to 45 kg: Standard rate for parcels
- 45–100 kg: Belly-hold pricing tier begins
- 100–300 kg: Consolidated shipment rates apply
- 300–500 kg: Volume discount activated
- 500–1000 kg: Freight-class pricing applies
- Above 1000 kg: Contract rates available
What Is Included and Excluded
Included in all-in pricing: Airfreight from origin to Dubai or destination airport, handling at Emirates hubs, fuel surcharge, and security processing fees.
Not included: Pickup from supplier premises, customs clearance and import duties, dangerous goods handling surcharge, cargo insurance, warehouse storage, or special packaging requirements.
Information Required for a Firm Quote
To receive an accurate firm quote, provide:
- Specific route (origin to final destination, including if consolidation at Dubai is required)
- Total gross weight and dimensions of each pallet or box (length × width × height in cm)
- Complete cargo description, including material, product type, and HS code if available
- Preferred shipment date and any schedule constraints
- Whether cargo includes batteries, lithium cells, or restricted materials
Important Note
Rates shown on this index reflect recent market levels. Actual pricing is determined by current available capacity, the chosen route through Dubai, market conditions on the booking date, and any service add-ons. Always request a binding quote from your quote request for final confirmation: request a quote.
Air freight spot benchmark
Indicative all-in spot rate for general cargo, US$ per kg, rolling 7 days. Snapshot taken 25 October 2026.
| Global - all lanes | $3.11 /kg |
| Greater China / Asia → Europe | $4.71 /kg |
| Greater China / Asia → North America | $6.03 /kg |
| Greater China / Asia → Middle East | $3.68 /kg |
| Europe → North America | $1.76 /kg |
| Europe → Europe | $2.02 /kg |
| Europe → Greater China / Asia | $1.22 /kg |
| North America → Europe | $1.01 /kg |
| North America → Middle East | $3.29 /kg |
| North America → Greater China / Asia | $1.44 /kg |
| Middle East → Europe | $1.43 /kg |
| Middle East → Middle East | $1.77 /kg |
| Middle East → North America | $2.34 /kg |
Source: Freightos Air Index (FAX) by Freightos. Data and index © Freightos — see Freightos Terminal. Benchmark only; your quoted rate depends on lane, weight, dimensions, commodity and capacity on the day.
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