Emirates excited over long distance cargo capabilities of A340-500

Customers dealing with time-sensitive cargo are in for a treat once Emirates SkyCargo begins its services in the brand new A340-500s.

The long-range aircraft is designed to accommodate six pallets and 12 containers, with the capacity to carry a total of 16 tonnes of cargo or 90 cubic metres volume with full passenger loads. With the capability to fly non-stop over long distances, the A340-500 first will be deployed on the Sydney/Auckland routes from 1st December.

Peter Sedgley, Emirates’ Vice President Cargo Commercial Operations said: “With the A340-500 servicing Sydney and Auckland, retailers in both cities and their hinterlands can now plan and stock consumer goods using just-in-time methods, knowing that Emirates SkyCargo’s quicker services will back them up.

“Similarly, dairy products, fish, flowers, fruit and meat from Australia and New Zealand, very popular in the Middle East and Europe, will reach the supermarket shelves in these regions, both faster and fresher. The new services are commencing at the right time - when demand for consumer goods and perishables peak during the holiday season.”

Ground-handling service standards in Australia and New Zealand have been stringently specified to enable Emirates SkyCargo to maintain the highest product quality, enabling customers to take further advantage of the new services.

The future holds many exciting services for cargo customers as these aircraft will serve new non-stop routes to New York and San Francisco, and non-stop flights to Melbourne. These destinations will come on board after the airline receives delivery of all A340-500 aircraft in 2004. With the first aircraft already inducted into the fleet, Emirates expects to take delivery of three more by year-end.

The new A340-500s spearhead Emirates’ US$26 billion aircraft order book, which also includes 26 Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, 20 A340-600s, eight A340-300s and two A380-500 freighters. More than 100 new jets are on order to be delivered to Emirates by 2012.