Emirates, with nearly four decades of experience in global logistics, has launched Emirates Courier Express, an end-to-end delivery solution set to redefine express shipping.
To ensure Emirates Courier Express addressed industry-wide challenges, Emirates worked with various global customers to pilot and finesse the product, with the goal to make it as fast, reliable and flexible as possible, before launching to market. Over the last year, Emirates Courier Express transported several thousands of packages from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa and the UK. The average delivery time is less than 48 hours. Now, Emirates Courier Express is open for business, for businesses.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Emirates Courier Express is an evolution in how we move goods across the globe, at speed and at scale. Building on our world-class and well-established infrastructure, and reimagining traditional logistics processes where necessary, this innovative solution does not just meet the Emirates Gold Standard of reliability and excellence but sets a new benchmark for what’s possible. This is only the beginning of our vision to continuously innovate and lead the charge in the express delivery sector.”
Traditionally, cross-border delivery is managed via a global hub-and-spoke model, with a package making multiple stops before arriving at its end destination. Emirates Courier Express has broken this mould. Just like passengers, packages will travel from origin to destination directly, leveraging the breadth of Emirates’ vast global network and near-unparalleled flight frequencies. This approach significantly reduces time in transit, reduces package handling and offers Emirates Courier Express customers’ a competitive edge in getting their goods to end users. Direct connectivity is matched with different service levels, ranging from next day urgent delivery to a two-day Premium service, along with a pipeline of innovative new products.
At launch, Emirates Courier Express will be active and available in seven markets, however the potential network growth is unlimited: wherever Emirates flies, Emirates Courier Express can deliver. Expansion to additional markets is already in the works.
Harnessing the fleet of the world’s largest international airline, Emirates Courier Express has access to over 250 all widebody passenger and freighter aircraft to move packages worldwide. Complemented by a trusted, reliable and integrated cross border network of partners to manage the customs clearance and first and last mile transportation, the solution delivers door-to-door. This integration into the airline’s existing infrastructure allows Emirates Courier Express to handle volume fluctuations from seasonal spikes while maintaining cost stability, ultimately empowering customers to plan and budget with confidence.
This seamless integration also enables Emirates Courier Express to provide bespoke and tailored solutions, whether transporting fashion and mobile phones or the most critical medical equipment. A team of dedicated specialists provide niche segment solutions, facilitated by the airline’s extensive freight and logistics infrastructure, including cool chain capacity, allowing the transportation of specialist or sensitive products from launch.
Prioritizing ease of business, Emirates Courier Express’ is entirely digital, with a purpose-built tech platform integrating directly into customer software and supports additional bespoke shipping solutions. Advanced tracking systems, real-time updates, and seamless integration, ensures complete efficiency, reliability, quality, and transparency from collection to delivery across the world.
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Dennis Lister, Senior Vice President of Product and Innovation, Emirates SkyCargo said, “Emirates Courier Express is the result of challenging the status quo. Along with the industry, we watched the increasing volumes of cross border shipping and challenged ourselves to find a better way to transport these goods faster and more efficiently. The new product launch reflects our ongoing commitment to push the boundaries to introduce innovations which drive real impact and ensure our customers always have access to the fastest, most reliable and cost-effective solutions available.”
air cargo Africa 2024 and the inaugural transport logistic Africa wrapped up successfully, reinforcing Kenya’s status as a key logistics hub. Held at The Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, the event attracted over 4,100 attendees from 50+ countries, featuring 150+ global brands, 450+ delegates, and 60+ industry experts. The strong turnout underscored the event’s growing impact on the global supply chain.
With Kenya emerging as a key logistics gateway, discussions focused on its expanding trade corridors, Nairobi’s ascent as a regional aviation hub, and Mombasa’s dominance as East Africa’s largest seaport. The event successfully facilitated multimodal partnerships, bridging Africa with key markets across the Middle East, Europe, and the Far East. Hon. Caleb Kositany, Chairman, Kenya Airports Authority, emphasized the significance of the event, stating: “This is not just a discussion platform—it is a solutions-driven initiative that is redefining Africa’s logistics landscape. The integration of air, maritime, rail, and road networks is crucial to unlocking Africa’s true potential as a global trade powerhouse.”
Unprecedented Global Participation
The event attracted a strong lineup of industry leaders, highlighting Africa’s expanding role in global logistics:
Allan Kilavuka, Group Managing Director & CEO, Kenya Airways, remarked: “Africa is poised for a logistics revolution. To harness this potential, we must accelerate infrastructure development and innovation. This event is an enabler, driving strategic investments and fostering collaboration to transform Africa’s trade ecosystem.”
Strengthening Industry Collaboration and Policy Alignment
The event saw active participation from key trade associations and logistics associations, ensuring industry-wide engagement like Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya International Freight & Warehousing Association (KIFWA), Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA), Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI), Kenya Association of Air Operators (KAAO), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC).
Emile N. Arao, Director General, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), highlighted Kenya’s aviation evolution: “We are not just regulators; we are enablers of progress. By embracing emerging technologies like UAS, SAF, and advanced cargo transport solutions, we are positioning Kenya as a leader in aviation and logistics.”
Key Industry Insights and Innovations
The trade fair provided critical industry takeaways:
Exhibitors Applaud Business Impact
The event received strong endorsements from leading logistics players, underscoring its effectiveness in fostering business partnerships:
Racheal Ndegwa, CEO, Swissport Kenya, commented, ‘‘air cargo Africa 2025 has reaffirmed its position as a premier industry platform where meaningful business happens. The high level of engagement enabled us to expand our regional partnerships, sign strategic agreements, and strengthen our air cargo network across Africa. As trade volumes grow, platforms like this are essential for fostering collaboration and driving efficiency in the continent’s air freight sector.”
Captain Fiorenzo Castellano, Managing Director, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), said, ‘‘This event has been a crucial platform for driving multimodal connectivity and strengthening Africa’s position in global trade. As demand for seamless logistics solutions grows, the trade show has enabled us to engage with key stakeholders, explore strategic partnerships and showcase MSC’s commitment to integrating sea and land solutions. The conversations and collaborations here will play a vital role in shaping the future of supply chains across the continent.”
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said, ‘‘Africa is a thriving engine of global trade, and both transport logistic Africa and air cargo Africa have been important platforms for shaping the future of air cargo in the market and beyond. The exhibition facilitated insightful discussions, fostered strategic partnerships, and highlighted the transformative role of innovation in driving global trade. As a facilitator of global trade, Emirates SkyCargo remains committed to strengthening connectivity and unlocking new opportunities for the industry.”
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Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa), Messe München & CEO, Messe München India, concluded: “The resounding success of air cargo Africa & transport logistics Africa 2025 is a testament to Africa’s emergence as a key architect of the future of global trade and supply chain innovation. No longer just adapting to global trade dynamics, Africa is proactively defining its role as a strategic hub, fostering resilient, technology-driven, and sustainable logistics ecosystems. As Africa continues to strengthen its trade networks, our focus remains on fostering collaboration, driving efficiency, and enabling sustainable growth that benefits businesses, economies, and communities alike.”
Looking Ahead to 2027
Building on its momentum, Messe München has confirmed that air cargo Africa & transport logistic Africa will return in 2027, promising an even larger and more influential platform for global logistics stakeholders.
For more details, visit: https://aircargoafrica.aero/en/
Emirates SkyCargo freighter A6-EFV was delivered in July 2024 without livery and was deployed immediately to serve the booming global demand. This week, it has rolled out of Emirates Engineering as the first freighter to don the airline’s distinctive new livery colors.
Over the course of eight days, a team of specialists from Emirates Engineering’s in-house paint shop applied the refreshed livery. The biggest change is to the UAE flag on the tailfin, which has been a staple of the Emirates branding since the very beginning. Now, the design is more dynamic and flowing, with 3D effect artwork; likewise, the iconic gold lettering across the main body in English and Arabic is bigger and bolder. The Arabic calligraphy on the engines remains, as does the iconic red branding on the aircraft belly, ensuring key elements of the airline’s identity remain consistent.
Nadeem Sultan, Senior Vice President of Cargo Planning and Freighters, Emirates SkyCargo said: “Emirates SkyCargo freighters are some of the most instantly recognizable aircraft in the skies, flying valuable commodities to and from 38 destinations worldwide. The investment in new livery represents our ongoing commitment to modernize our fleet, as we continue to build our capacity and unlock new opportunities to serve our global customers.”
The new livery, which was first unveiled in March 2023, is the third iteration of Emirates’ iconic aircraft brand colors since launch in 1985. All 10 Boeing 777 freighters in Emirates’ fleet will be gradually scheduled for their paint jobs and new freighters, of which Emirates SkyCargo has 13 on order, will come fully decked out on delivery.
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Emirates SkyCargo is the freight division of Emirates. With an unrivalled route network, we connect cargo customers to over 155 cities across six continents and operate in many of the world’s fastest developing markets. Our cargo hold capacity comprises Emirates’ fleet of over 265 aircraft, including 12 freighters – 11 Boeing 777-Fs and one B747F. During the last Financial Year (2018/19) Emirates SkyCargo carried 2.7 million tonnes of cargo. Emirates SkyCargo has developed transportation solutions for specific verticals including pharmaceuticals and perishables.
Watch a timelapse video of the new livery being applied to the aircraft at Emirates Engineering’s in-house facility.
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