Emirates launches daily service to Cape Town

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Emirates SkyCargo takes off to South Africa.

Emirates SkyCargo has initiated a daily service to Cape Town in South Africa in order to capitalise on growing trade between the two countries.

The new service is expected to allow the Dubai based-carrier to carry 50 tonnes a week to the destination, which was previously served via road feeders from Johannesburg. In 2006, trade between the UAE and South Africa reached US$562 million.

"Emirates SkyCargo regards the South African market as vital. Testimony to this are the two Boeing 747 freighters we operate into Johannesburg each week, as well as the belly capacity on our 21 passenger flights," said Peter Sedgley, senior vice president, cargo commercial operations, Emirates.

"We have enjoyed excellent relationships with South African shippers for more than a decade which we look forward to growing with the introduction of non-stop services to Cape Town," he added.

The route will be operated using a Boeing 777-200, which offers an 18 tonne bellyhold cargo capacity. Cape Town joins 17 other destinations served by Emirates SkyCargo in Africa, including freighter services to Johannesburg, Lilongwe, Nairobi, Entebbe, Eldoret, Lagos, Djibouti and Khartoum.

Primary exports from Cape Town comprise largely of live lobsters, cut flowers and automotive parts bound mainly for Europe and famous South African wines to customers all over the globe. Imports include textiles from Asia, drilling equipment from the US and electronics from East Asia and Europe.

"The market in Cape Town is tremendously excited about the introduction of the new, non-stop services. Emirates SkyCargo has a built a strong reputation for quality service in South Africa and the Cape Town-based traders, which previously trucked freight to Johannesburg, are looking forward to capitalising on the flights directly from their home market," said Kum Naicker, cargo manager South Africa, Emirates.

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