Emirates SkyCargo has strengthened its commitment to South America, introducing seven additional weekly freighter flights to the region since March 2026: three to Buenos Aires, one to Bogota, two additional flights to Sao Paulo and one additional flight to Quito. The added capacity has driven a significant increase in year-on-year export volumes, with growth of 57% in Argentina, 22% in Brazil, 18% in Colombia and 14% in Ecuador. Fresh perishables are among the most important commodities the carrier moves from the region: since April 2024, Emirates SkyCargo has transported close to 80,000 tonnes of perishables from its four South American markets, including 66,000 tonnes of flowers.

“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 to reach global customers. Since April this year, we have transported more than 22,000 tonnes of export cargo from our South American markets, a growth of 18% over the volumes carried during the same period in the previous year. By adding seven new freighter frequencies across South America in 2026 and supplementing the bellyhold capacity we provide on our passenger flights, we are driving increased exports and creating new opportunities for businesses to reach customers worldwide while ensuring their products maintain the highest standards of freshness and quality throughout transit,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo.

ECUADOR

Ecuador remains Emirates SkyCargo’s largest export market in South America and one of the world’s most important origins for fresh flowers. To support demand, the carrier added a sixth weekly freighter frequency from Quito in May 2026, offering 600 tonnes of export capacity a week; freighter flights from Quito connect rapidly to Amsterdam, one of the world’s largest flower auction and distribution centres. Export volumes from Ecuador grew 14% in the first half of FY26/27, building on 11% growth the previous year, with flowers accounting for more than 90% of all export cargo the carrier uplifts from the country; Emirates SkyCargo transported nearly 24,000 tonnes of flowers from Ecuador during FY25/26 and has moved approximately 60,000 tonnes of exports from the country since April 2024. The carrier took part in Expo Flor Ecuador, a leading floriculture industry exhibition held between 6 and 8 October 2026.

COLOMBIA

Emirates SkyCargo launched a weekly freighter service to Bogota in May 2026, adding dedicated main deck capacity for flowers and fresh produce; export volumes from Colombia grew 18% year-on-year in the first half of FY26/27, following 34% growth the previous year, with the carrier transporting nearly 14,000 tonnes of export cargo from the country since April 2024, including more than 3,500 tonnes of flowers during FY25/26.

ARGENTINA

The carrier began weekly freighter operations to Buenos Aires in March 2026, scaling up to three weekly flights by July 2026; exports from Argentina grew 57% in the first half of FY26/27, following 8% growth the previous year, with Emirates SkyCargo moving approximately 5,000 tonnes of exports, including perishables such as fresh fruit, salmon and meat products, from the country since April 2024.

BRAZIL

Emirates SkyCargo has expanded its Sao Paulo operations to four freighter services a week, including two additional frequencies introduced in 2026; exports from Brazil grew 22% year-on-year in the first half of FY26/27, following 11% growth the previous year, with close to 20,000 tonnes of exports transported from the country since April 2024.

The South America expansion forms part of Emirates SkyCargo’s wider growth plan for its freighter fleet and network. The carrier has taken delivery of seven Boeing 777 production freighters since March 2026, along with its first Boeing 777-300ERSF converted from a passenger aircraft, and will operate 23 dedicated freighter aircraft by the end of March 2027; its global network of freighter destinations has grown from just over 40 in March 2026 to more than 60 by July 2026.