Emirates SkyCargo opens up ANZ trade route

Thanks to Emirates SkyCargo, consumers in the Middle East and beyond can add fresh kiwis, fish, dairy and superior cuts of lamb to their shopping carts all year round. Similarly, women in New Zealand can score with the latest in fashion and cosmetics from Paris while men tinker with electrical and engineering products from elsewhere in Europe.

Emirates' twice daily services to Auckland via Sydney and Melbourne is driving a strong surge in cargo traffic, with distributors in the Middle East, Europe and Far East now having quicker access to New Zealand and Australian products.

Gavin Young, Consul General Dubai and Senior Trade Commissioner Middle East, South Asia and South Africa at the New Zealand Consulate General here said:

"New Zealand exporters are excited about the additional capacity that Emirates is offering them. They see this as helping in the delivery of their products such as high precision marine equipment, telecommunications technology and fashion clothing to Dubai and the Middle East, as well as South Africa, Europe, Singapore and Australia."

Emirates has had a terrific response on the Trans-Tasman route. A diverse range of products from confectionery, fish, vegetables and personal effects to aircraft parts are now regularly flown between Auckland and the Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney.

"We also expect that the service will not only offer better connections to some destinations but will by itself stimulate new business, such as in the areas of perishable food exports to Dubai and also for flowers to Dubai and Europe," continued Young.

And in good time too it seems for the Dubai Flower Centre, an exciting new initiative set to open in 2004. SkyCargo is currently running nearly full loads of cargo to and from New Zealand and demand is expected to escalate considerably in the coming weeks.

The next big launch date in the Emirates calendar is 26th October when it will celebrate a double inauguration, the new Brisbane route extended to Auckland, marking the fourth Australian destination and a triple daily to New Zealand. The new daily services will use Emirates' wide-bodied Boeing 777-300, capable of carrying 25 tonnes of cargo in each direction.

Already, SkyCargo is gearing up to answer enquiries from forwarders and shippers, reporting a remarkable interest across the network. "Emirates has established a decisive presence in Australia and New Zealand. From the cargo point of view, Brisbane will prove to be another winner on our network, as the city's export trade particularly in dairy products, seafood, and processed fruits and food is increasing every year," said Ram Menen, Emirates' Senior Vice President Cargo.

Emirates currently offers daily services to Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, totalling 21 flights a week to Australia.