Emirates SkyCargo Expands South American Freighter Network

Emirates SkyCargo has significantly increased its weekly freighter flights from key South American hubs including Bogota, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Quito. The carrier introduced seven new weekly freighter services earlier this year. This expansion comprises three additional flights from Buenos Aires, two extra from Sao Paulo, and one new flight each from Bogota and Quito.

In Colombia, a weekly freighter flight from Bogota launched in May. Operations from Sao Paulo in Brazil now run four times per week. From Ecuador, the carrier operates six flights weekly from Quito, providing roughly 600 tonnes of export capacity. For Argentina, weekly freighter services from Buenos Aires began in March, with frequency rising to three weekly flights by July.

Strong export volume growth across the region

Cargo volumes from several South American markets showed substantial double-digit year-on-year increases in the first half of the 2025/26 financial year. The expanded freighter capacity facilitated this significant rise in export volumes.

Since April 2024, Emirates SkyCargo has moved over 22,000 tonnes of export cargo from South America, an 18 percent increase from the same period a year earlier. From Argentina alone, it has handled approximately 5,000 tonnes of exports, including perishables like fresh fruit, salmon, and meat. Flowers are a major commodity, with nearly 24,000 tonnes transported from Ecuador and over 3,500 tonnes from Colombia during the 2025/26 financial year.

Fleet expansion enabling network growth

The service expansion was made possible by the delivery of new aircraft. Since March 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has taken delivery of seven new Boeing 777 production freighters. It also received its first Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft converted from an Emirates passenger jet.

This fleet growth supports a planned total of 23 dedicated freighter aircraft by the end of March 2027. Globally, the Dubai-based carrier widened its network of freighter destinations from just over 40 in March 2026 to more than 60 by July 2026.

Strategic focus on high-value perishable exports

The expansion targets time-sensitive, high-value goods. Flowers dominate exports from Ecuador, making up more than 90 percent of all cargo uplifted from the country. These shipments are flown directly from Quito to Amsterdam, home to one of the world's largest flower markets. Argentine exports focus on perishables like fruit, salmon, and meat, while Sao Paulo flights support a broad range of commodities across the carrier's network.

Leadership outlook on South America’s role in global trade

Divisional Senior Vice President Badr Abbas highlighted South America as a dynamic emerging hub for exports. He noted the region's strength across sectors including high-quality food products and fresh flowers. The network growth reflects rising demand for perishable exports from the continent.

By the end of March 2027, Emirates SkyCargo will operate a fleet of 23 dedicated freighter aircraft.