FlyingTypers: Where does SkyCargo fit into this season of love?

Nabil Sultan: The season is very important to air cargo operators.
      For Emirates SkyCargo, the volume of flowers we move around this time of year—beginning in February at Valentine's Day and continuing on—especially roses, increases exponentially.
      In fact, SkyCargo routinely operate extra charters just to cater to our customers’ needs.

FT: OK, So maybe we can say: The  folks at Emirates Cargo have a rose between their toes while racing to get huge consignments of flowers all over the globe?
      Describe the movement of flowers in terms of markets—Where from? Where to?

NS: Our largest flower producing markets are Kenya and other flower producing regions.
      From these locations, we transport the flowers to the auction markets in Amsterdam, which are then flown to the rest the world.
      In addition, we serve a good number of customers in the direct to market flowers segment.

FT: Describe the Dubai promise of support for perishables of all kinds.

NS: Perishables and cargo requiring temperature control have always been a big part of our business right from the start of the airline.
      We have continuously invested in this area to ensure that we provide our customers with the best in the industry.
      For example at our dedicated freighter cargo facility, Emirates SkyCentral at Maktoum International Airport, we have invested heavily in state-of-the-art equipment and technology, ranging from ULDs, cool dollies, special covers to cool/cold storage facilities to ensure the integrity of the cool chain throughout the time that the cargo is in our custody.
      We have storage (cool cells) for our ULDs in our PCHS (pallets and container handling system).
      All these are housed in a large dedicated cool/cold storage facility that can accommodate high volumes of cargo.

FT: What moves have been made to insure that SkyCargo excels in the perishables business?

NS: We have been in the perishables business right from the inception of the airline and have continually invested in technology, infrastructure and expertise to provide our customers with the best that the industry has to offer. About 13 percent of our cargo business is in the temperature-sensitive category. On top of our current state-of-the-art facilities for temperature-controlled cargo, we also have a dedicated research and development unit that works with various experts and equipment manufacturers to innovate ideas for equipment and processes to cater to current and future requirements.

FT: What are some aspects of the products and services offered?

NS: Emirates has different solutions for cargo that require different temperature ranges. We encourage/facilitate the Active Containers like Envirotainer for commodities requiring transportation between 2-8 C, white covers for the 15-25 C range. Cool Dollies on the ground are utilized for highly perishable commodities. Our freighter fleet has four different zones, which can be individually set for maintaining different temperatures. With these facilities, we are able to provide tailored solutions for our customers.

FT: Which markets are being served and which show the greatest growth potential?

NS: India is obviously a large market and is leading the world market with its pharma industry. India is also a key player in the production and export of fruits and vegetables. Other growing markets for our advanced temperature controlled transportation services include Africa, the Far East, Australia, Latin America, and the Gulf and Middle-Eastern region.

FT: Looking ahead, how important will perishables be in SkyCargo’s product mix?

NS: I expect the perishables segment to continue seeing strong growth and in time, to account for about 30% of SkyCargo’s business.
Geoffrey

Thursday, April 20, Emirates Airline President Tim Clark talked to reporters during an interview overlooking Dubai International Airport.    Mr. Clark flatly stated that EK remains committed to the U.S. market despite plans to slash 20 percent of its flights in the wake of tougher U.S. security and visa measures. Mr. Clark said cutbacks are temporary and it has no intention of pulling out of the 12 U.S. cities EK currently serves.