Emirates SkyCargo has reported double-digit year-on-year growth in exports from four South American markets after adding seven weekly freighter flights to the region since March, the carrier said in a press release on Thursday.

The new flights comprise three weekly freighter services to Buenos Aires, one to Bogota, two additional services to Sao Paulo, and one additional service to Quito. Emirates SkyCargo said export volumes in the first half of the 2026/27 financial year rose 57 per cent in Argentina, 22 per cent in Brazil, 18 per cent in Colombia, and 14 per cent in Ecuador, compared with the same period a year earlier.

Perishables are among the main commodities the carrier moves from the region. Since April 2024, it has transported close to 80,000 tonnes of perishables from the four markets, including 66,000 tonnes of flowers, the release said.

“South America is a dynamic emerging hub for exports across a range of sectors, including high-quality food products and fresh flowers that rely on fast and reliable air cargo connectivity,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo. He said the carrier has moved more than 22,000 tonnes of export cargo from its South American markets since April this year, 18 per cent more than in the same period last year.

Abbas said the added freighter frequencies, together with bellyhold capacity on passenger flights, are helping increase exports and “creating new opportunities for businesses to reach customers worldwide.”

Market details from the release:

Ecuador: It remains Emirates SkyCargo’s largest export market in South America. The carrier added a sixth weekly freighter frequency in Quito in May 2026, giving a total export capacity of 600 tonnes a week. Flights connect to Amsterdam, a major flower auction and distribution centre. Flowers account for more than 90 per cent of the export cargo the airline carries from Ecuador. Since April 2024 it has moved about 60,000 tonnes of exports from the country, and cargo volumes grew 11 per cent between FY24/25 and FY25/26.

Colombia: A weekly freighter service to Bogota began in May 2026. Volumes rose 18 per cent in the first half of FY26/27, after a 34 per cent increase between FY24/25 and FY25/26. Since April 2024 the carrier has moved nearly 14,000 tonnes of exports from Colombia, including more than 3,500 tonnes of flowers in FY25/26.

Argentina: Weekly freighter operations to Buenos Aires started in March 2026 and increased to three a week from July. Since April 2024 the carrier has moved about 5,000 tonnes of exports from Argentina, including fresh fruit, salmon and meat. Growth in the previous period was 8 per cent.

Brazil: Sao Paulo now has four freighter services a week, including two added in 2026. Since April 2024 the carrier has moved close to 20,000 tonnes of exports from Brazil. Growth in the previous period was 11 per cent.

Emirates SkyCargo said the South American expansion is part of a wider freighter growth plan. Since March 2026 it has taken delivery of seven Boeing 777 production freighters and the first Boeing 777-300ERSF converted from an Emirates passenger aircraft. It expects to operate 23 dedicated freighters by the end of March 2027. The carrier said its freighter network grew from just over 40 destinations in March 2026 to more than 60 by July 2026.

The release did not give absolute export volumes for the first half of the current financial year in each market or revenue figures.

Source: PR