‍DALLAS – Emirates (EK) has entered a multi-year lease agreement with Compass Air Cargo (HQ) for six Boeing 747 freighter aircraft to meet the growing demand for its cargo services. The Bulgarian-based company operates Boeing 747-400 freighters and 737 cargo jets. 

Once the six wet-leased 747 freighters are added, Emirates' SkyCargo fleet will total 16 aircraft, complementing the existing 10 Boeing 777 freighters. 

Adding the Boeing 747Fs provides an immediate solution for EK, enabling it to open up immediate capacity for its cargo services. EK says its overall main-deck cargo capacity is thus now 15% higher than at the beginning of last year.

Skycargo Fleet Expansion

Emirates will expand its freighter fleet, with an additional 13 777 freighters on order. Flight Global reports that the airline had plans to convert several older passenger aircraft into cargo carriers. This relates to 777-300ER aircraft. 

Emirates has considered Boeing and Airbus aircraft for its future cargo fleet requirements. It has been deliberating between the Boeing 777-8F and the Airbus A350-1000F. 

While EK hoped to decide by the end of last year, it has not yet.

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