Emirates to become a leader in Karachi's cargo business
Emirates Airline, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has
announced plans to set up a dedicated cargo hub at Karachi's Jinnah
International Airport, solidifying its position as a leader in Karachi’s cargo
business.
According to reports, Emirates has requested 90,000 square feet of space
within the airport's cargo terminal to accommodate its operations. This move
comes in response to the growing demand for cargo services in the region.
In 2024 alone, Emirates transported over 27,000 tons of cargo from Karachi,
making it the largest cargo operator in the city. In comparison, Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA) managed only 2,000 tons of cargo from Karachi
during the same period, highlighting the significant gap in market share.
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Airport officially granted the status of international airport
Sources confirm that the Airports Authority has begun work on allocating
space at the cargo terminal to facilitate Emirates’ expansion.
This development follows Emirates’ recent launch of its experiential retail
concept store in Karachi, its first in West Asia. The store was inaugurated
last month by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates' Senior Vice President for
Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, alongside UAE Ambassador
Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi and UAE Consul General Bakheet Ateeq
Al-Rumaithi.
During the store’s inauguration, Al-Rumaithi emphasized the strong ties
between the UAE and Pakistan. Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, addressing questions about
Emirates’ interest in the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA), clarified, “We are focusing on our own airline and growth. We recently
invested $2 billion to retrofit our aircraft and are not considering acquiring stakes
in other carriers.”
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SkyCargo and Air Canada Cargo enter into partnership
The establishment of a cargo hub in Karachi marks another significant step
in strengthening Emirates’ operations in Pakistan and catering to the
increasing demand for air cargo services in the region.
Source: Express Tribune