In the next instalment of our senior executive interview series, Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice president at Emirates SkyCargo, discusses resilience in uncertain markets, customer-focused innovation, and the carrier’s vision for the future.

How are global economic conditions affecting the air cargo industry, and what implications does this have for Emirates SkyCargo?

The air cargo industry is showing strong resilience and performance while tackling various global economic challenges and opportunities. Uncertainty is the only certainty in our sector, and dynamics around tariffs and shifting global trade patterns continue to require smart and flexible navigation. As an industry, it’s key that we remain focused on building adaptability into our business models and supply chains.

At Emirates SkyCargo, we’ve done exactly that and for the 2024-2025 financial year we delivered exceptional results carrying 2.3 million tonnes of cargo, an increase of 7% year-on-year, generating AED 16.1 billion in revenue, up by 18%.

With 40 years’ experience navigating economic cycles, geopolitical events, and supply chain disruptions, Emirates SkyCargo sees disruption as an opportunity to innovate, supported by a diversified network and product portfolio that allow us to pivot capacity where it’s needed most.

We expect demand to remain consistently high, with notable volume contributions from strong e-commerce traffic, and a rise in shipments bound for Dubai.

In a highly competitive market, what differentiates Emirates SkyCargo from other major players in the industry?

Emirates SkyCargo combines global reach, operational reliability, and a strong focus on measurable quality to set itself apart in the market. Our network spans over 145 destinations, supported by a modern fleet of Boeing 777 freighters and belly-hold capacity on our passenger aircraft, offering customers flexible, tailored solutions.

As a member of IATA’s Cargo iQ, we monitor more than 90% of our shipments and consistently achieve top-tier performance, delivering 92% of shipments as booked worldwide and 98% from Dubai, well above the industry norm of 80%. This commitment to transparency and performance was recently reinforced through our Service Quality Agreement with Kuehne+Nagel, establishing ambitious on-time delivery targets and strengthening collaboration.

An ethos of customer centricity underpins every part of our business and our scale, service quality, and customer-focused innovation ensure we remain a trusted partner for our customers around the world.

How is Emirates SkyCargo leveraging advancements in digitalisation and how are customer expectations changing?

Digital transformation is fundamental to our strategy, ensuring we stay ahead in rapidly evolving logistics landscape. Currently, over 70% of our bookings are completed through digital channels.

Recent milestones include becoming the first regional airline to partner with PayCargo, bringing its secure, instant digital payment platform to the UAE. This eliminates manual, cash-based transactions, speeds up cargo release to same-day or next-business-day, and streamlines processes for customers and internal teams alike.

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We also launched eQuote on our e-SkyCargo portal, giving customers real-time spot quotations 24/7 across a wide range of products, including specialist shipments. Together with our presence on major digital marketplaces and direct connections with key freight forwarders, these tools make our capacity, schedules, and rates easily accessible wherever customers choose to book.

Customers today are increasingly demanding faster, more transparent, and more flexible solutions, alongside industry-specific expertise. They expect seamless, reliable services tailored to the unique requirements of their cargo.

We are not only embedding these digital tools into our operations but building them into the foundation of new products. For example, Emirates Courier Express, our new door-to-door cross-border delivery solution is fully digital, and can be directly integrated into customers’ existing software. This provides our customers, and their end customers, with advanced tracking systems, real-time updates, and seamless integration for full visibility as their package moves worldwide.

By embedding smart, intuitive technologies across booking, payment, and fulfilment, while continuing to innovate our product range, we’re delivering faster, more flexible, and more transparent services, empowering customers to move their businesses forward with confidence.

Can you discuss Emirates SkyCargo’s efforts towards sustainability and how you are addressing environmental concerns within the industry?

Addressing climate change and other environmental challenges requires collective action, investment, and long-term commitment. In 2024-2025, we continued to strengthen our efforts across our three environmental pillars: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and preserving wildlife and habitats.

From an emissions perspective, we are renewing our fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft, continuously enhancing fuel and operational efficiency, and actively exploring Sustainable Aviation Fuels to reduce our carbon footprint. We also participate in Emirates Group’s dedicated CO2 Taskforce, which develops cross-functional strategies to cut emissions and promote greener practices across the business.

“In 2024-2025, we continued to strengthen our efforts across our three environmental pillars: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and preserving wildlife and habitats”

Our approach to sustainability also extends to our supply chain, and we prioritise the adoption of ethical standards and environmentally responsible products and services. In our own operations, we maintain a strong focus on reducing waste and support the adoption of best practices.

We also remain deeply committed to protecting wildlife and natural habitats. We actively combat illegal wildlife trafficking through strategic partnerships, awareness training for over 36,000 employees, and strict policies against transporting banned species. As a founding signatory of the Buckingham Palace Declaration and an active member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, Emirates SkyCargo advocates for biodiversity and conservation within the aviation sector.

Together, these initiatives help us minimise our environmental impact while supporting the broader air cargo industry’s shift towards sustainability and responsible stewardship.

What initiatives has Emirates SkyCargo implemented to attract and retain talent, and how does the company ensure effective recruitment and training across its operations?

Emirates SkyCargo recognises that its people are central to its success, especially as the logistics industry faces a talent shortage. Attracting and retaining top talent is a key priority, which is why we place strong emphasis on comprehensive learning and development. Employees have access to classroom training, new learning paths, and LinkedIn Learning, with over 20,000 participating in training and 87,000 employees completing 1.5 million online courses in FY24-25 alone.

“Attracting and retaining top talent is a key priority, which is why we place strong emphasis on comprehensive learning and development”

A cornerstone of our talent development is the in-house Executive Leadership Programme, created in collaboration with Emirates Learning & Talent, HR teams, and AviationNOW. This programme equips high-potential cargo managers with skills in future-focused areas such as AI, innovation, operational optimisation, and sustainability. Graduates earn a diploma endorsed by AviationNOW, enabling them to apply their new knowledge immediately and contribute to both personal growth and organisational success.

Reflecting on your role as a senior executive at Emirates SkyCargo, what significant lessons have you learned about your organisation, and also of the dynamics of the air cargo industry?

A key lesson I’ve learned is the power of teamwork and having everyone united behind a clear vision. Our success is rooted in a shared vision that inspires collaboration and innovation.

“Our success is rooted in a shared vision that inspires collaboration and innovation”

The air cargo industry is fast-changing and demanding, so staying agile and close to both our people and customers is essential. At Emirates SkyCargo, our strength is our people and their commitment to excellence, enabling us to adapt and succeed.

Where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth in the air cargo sector, and how is Emirates SkyCargo positioned to capitalise on these opportunities?

The biggest opportunities for growth in the air cargo sector lie in expanding express delivery services, enhancing network connectivity, and leveraging advanced technology to meet evolving customer demands. Emirates SkyCargo is well positioned to capitalise on these trends, with Emirates Courier Express at the forefront of our strategy. This door-to-door, cross-border solution is designed to future-proof our operations by offering fast, reliable, and flexible express services on next-day and two-day timelines, supported by near-direct origin-to-destination routes. Its global expansion plans will enable us to serve new markets and customer segments, meeting the growing demand for premium, seamless delivery experiences.

“We continue to invest in expanding and modernising our freighter fleet and network, which remains a vital component of our cargo capabilities”

In addition, we continue to invest in expanding and modernising our freighter fleet and network, which remains a vital component of our cargo capabilities. Our aim is to operate a fleet of 21 dedicated freighters by December 2026, reaffirming our intent to serve as the backbone of global trade.

By increasing capacity and connectivity across key global trade lanes, including emerging markets, we ensure greater flexibility and efficiency for large and specialised shipments. This combination of a strengthened freighter network alongside innovative express solutions positions Emirates SkyCargo to capture growth across multiple segments of the air cargo industry, meeting the diverse and evolving needs of our customers worldwide.

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