SUPPLEMENT
Moving through Dubai يبد ربع لقنتلا
Dubai International Airport (DXB) processed 517,000 tonnes of freight in the first quarter of 2025 - down 3.6 percent year-on-year, but still a clear indication of its role as a regional cargo stronghold. For Emirates SkyCargo, 2025 demanded that the same leverage be applied with flexibility. “We had to adapt quickly – rerouting shipments, or redeploying capacity, re-thinking strategies and working in close coordination with our customers and partners to keep a steady flow of goods moving,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo. Emirates SkyCargo enters 2026 with its priorities firmly set: fleet
growth, network reach, digital efficiency, and future-fit infrastructure. “In 2025, we built the runway for what comes next,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President. “We strengthened the core pillars of our business by expanding our network and innovating with our product portfolio and operations.” By December 2026, Emirates expects to operate a fleet of 21
freighters—up from 11 Boeing 777Fs and 5 wet-leased 747s today—as it takes delivery of up to 10 new 777Fs. The first passenger aircraft has also entered its freighter conversion programme, with entry into service expected next year. The airline added eight freighter destinations in 2025 - Copenhagen, Narita, Bangkok, Mumbai, Beirut, Conakry, Phnom Penh, and Hanoi
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bringing its dedicated cargo network to 42 cities across six continents. Frequencies
to core lanes such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Riyadh's rise and
Johannesburg were also increased, with Hanoi ramped up to four flights per week in response to demand. Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said:
“Next year we expect delivery of several Boeing 777 freighters currently on order, with aims to operate a fleet of 21 aircraft by December 2026. This will almost double our current freighter capacity, providing us with the flexibility and resources to expand our network, layer on additional frequencies to high volume lanes and better serve our global customers.” “As always, our freighter operations are underpinned by our passenger
fleet, which we also expect to grow throughout the next year, with further deliveries of our A350 aircraft. As the A350s enable us to reach new, smaller markets, its another way we’re able to serve new destinations with our world-class product and service.”
Reflections on dnata "اتاند" جئاتن يف ةءارق
dnata closed 2025 having handled over one million tonnes of cargo in Duba. “2025 stood out as a year when the industry proved its ability to
ضايرلا ةضهن
Riyadh’s airport infrastructure is entering a new phase of development, aimed at boosting capacity and positioning the Saudi capital as a major global hub. At King Salman International Airport, construction has begun on a third
runway, a key part of the airport’s long-term expansion strategy. The 4,200- metre runway is designed to align with prevailing wind conditions and includes multiple access taxiways to support more efficient ground operations. Current capacity stands at around 65 aircraft movements per hour, with the new runway expected to raise that figure to 85 once operational. The project is being delivered in partnership with FCC Construcción
SA and Al-Mabani General Contractors Company, and is central to the airport’s goal of expanding international connectivity across multiple markets. Meanwhile, King Khalid International Airport - ranked 24th in Skytrax’s
2025 global ranking, up 11 places from last year - is preparing for its most significant operational overhaul since opening over 40 years ago. A strategic transformation plan is set to begin implementation in Q1 2026, involving a major terminal reconfiguration.
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operate confidently amid ongoing change,” said Guillaume Crozier, Chief Cargo Officer at dnata. The UAE continued to strengthen its position as a preferred global
logistics hub, underpinned by multimodal infrastructure and coordination between industry and regulators. “The UAE, in particular, reinforced its role as a preferred logistics hub,
supported by strong connectivity, multimodal infrastructure, and close collaboration between industry and authorities. At dnata, surpassing one million tonnes of cargo handled in Dubai over a twelve-month period reflected that resilience in very practical terms,” Crozier noted. “We’ve all
learned that strong collaboration – between airlines,
handlers, customs and airports – pays off when demand shifts,” he said. Technology also played a larger role in daily operations. At dnata’s Dubai
facilities, the deployment of autonomous inventory drones improved warehouse accuracy and allowed staff to focus on higher-value tasks. Tools that increase visibility and decision speed were key to keeping operations smooth. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus will be on data quality, interoperability,
and cross-sector coordination. dnata also sees workforce capability and infrastructure resilience as essential as operations grow more complex. “The greatest opportunity lies in strengthening collaboration across the cargo ecosystem,” Crozier said.
“With a
clear focus on customer
performance, service
quality, and innovative
proposition, we are well- positioned for another strong year.”
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