More Spanish goods to enter UAE as Emirates SkyCargo plans expansion

Emirates is planning to expand on its successful cargo operations to Spain. The airline transports about 600 tonnes of clothing from Spain to Dubai every month, the airline said in a statement.

"Emirates plays a key role by bringing cutting-edge designs to high streets and malls across the Middle East and Asia in time for every new season. The carrier's freight division, Emirates SkyCargo, transports thousands of tonnes of clothing into the region each year and is an integral link between the UAE and Spain, a hub of fashion manufacturing," it said.

On August 1, Emirates will launch the only scheduled passenger service between Dubai and Spain with its inaugural flight to Madrid, building on the successful freight service it has been operating since 2006. Every month more than 600 tonnes arrive from Zaragoza on two weekly Boeing 747 freighter flights, meaning that Emirates SkyCargo has been delivering an average of 7,200 tonnes of garments to Dubai every year since launching flights into Spain.

Ram Menen, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice-President, Cargo, said: "Emirates is a major player on both airport and fashion runways. Dubai has built a strong reputation as the shopping capital of the region and we are delighted to have contributed to that success by ensuring the latest styles are always available.

"However, our role is not confined to just bringing all the top labels to the UAE. We also transport a similar volume of textiles from the Far East to the Spanish clothing manufacturers every week," he said. "The freight operation to Spain is also an important route for various consumer goods."