Emirates SkyCargo, Air Canada strengthen cargo interline cooperation

Emirates SkyCargo customers can now book interline cargo shipments into Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary on Air Canada flights, via key Emirates European gateways.

The enhanced online booking capabilities now live, enable Emirates SkyCargo customers to book shipments that will travel on Air Canada Cargo flights on an interline basis via e-SkyCargo, WebCargo, and Cargowise.

Air Canada Cargo is also working to implement similar direct booking capabilities for its customers to easily access and book interline shipments that will travel on Emirates’ flights across its global network.

This latest development follows the memorandum of understanding signed in February between the two major airlines to provide more benefits to their air freight customers worldwide.

It also builds on the broader strategic commercial partnership between Emirates and Air Canada, which was announced last year.

Nabil Sultan, divisional senior vice president, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “We’re delighted to team up with Air Canada Cargo to offer expanded access to more destinations in Canada via our European gateways, all bookable online creating a seamless digital experience. We’ll continue to work closely with Air Canada to ensure smooth transfers and connections so that cargo arrives promptly and in excellent condition.”

“This arrangement with Air Canada will benefit many of our customers, particularly those in West Asia, Middle East and Africa seeking to transport agricultural equipment, machinery, aircraft parts, as well as perishables and general cargo into Canada and other points in North America.”

The partnership expands Emirates SkyCargo’s reach to more than 60 cities in Canada and more than 150 cities across five continents through Air Canada Cargo’s fleet of Boeing 767 freighters and the belly-hold capacity of Air Canada’s scheduled passenger flights.

In return, Air Canada Cargo has access to Emirates SkyCargo’s high-frequency distribution network through the belly-hold of Emirates scheduled passenger flights to over 150 global destinations, as well as the additional capacity offered by 11 freighters currently in the Emirates fleet.

In addition to this latest development, the airlines recently implemented a passenger codeshare agreement that covers 46 destinations across North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Emirates and Air Canada have also launched joint loyalty programme benefits for members of Skywards and Aeroplan to earn and redeem miles and points on flights operated by Emirates and Air Canada respectively.

Emirates Skycargo fleet expansion

In other news, Emirates SkyCargo announced it had added two Boeing 747-400Fs to its freighter fleet.

The cargo division of Emirates is expecting 15 more freighters to join its fleet from announced orders and its freighter conversion programme, plus a boost in belly-hold capacity from new passenger aircraft deliveries starting with Airbus A350s in late summer 2024, followed by 777-Xs the year after.

Over the next decade, Emirates SkyCargo expects to double its existing capacity, add over 20 new destinations to its freighter network, and offer even more flexibility and services to its customers with a fleet mix of over 300 wide-body aircraft comprising: 777s, 777-Fs, 747-Fs, A350s, and A380s.