Emirates SkyCargo has announced that it is to deploy two additional weekly freighter aircraft to India starting in March 2026, expanding cargo capacity as trade volumes grow between the UAE and India.
The cargo division will launch a new weekly freighter to Mumbai on March 4, 2026, operating via Dubai and Singapore, plus a direct weekly freighter to Ahmedabad in March. A dedicated weekly freighter to Dhaka, Bangladesh, will also begin in April 2026.
Current operations and trade volumes
Emirates currently operates three weekly freighters to India: one to Mumbai and two to Ahmedabad, alongside bellyhold capacity on 167 passenger flights to nine Indian destinations. The airline reports weekly cargo uplift averaging 3,000 tonnes.
The expansion comes as the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement approaches its third anniversary. According to data from the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), India’s exports to the UAE reached $37.1 billion in 2024. Emirates currently transports approximately 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and 500 tonnes of perishables per week, plus significant volumes of garments, textiles and personal electronics.
Ground network expansion
Beyond air cargo, Emirates operates an extensive trucking network across India. In 2025, over 1,000 trucks transported nearly 5,500 tonnes of cargo, including automotive parts, textiles, machinery and spices. The airline recently added Coimbatore and Goa as offline stations, with temperature-controlled trucks handling pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
“India is a powerhouse of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, perishables and eCommerce and the demand for reliable and stable capacity continues to grow,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo.
Emirates SkyCargo has operated in India since 1985 and now serves nine cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. The airline received the International Airline of the Year award at the STAT Times International Awards for the third consecutive year.