Emirates SkyCargo is to upgrade Manchester Airport flights to a thrice-daily Airbus A380 route as it celebrates cargo volumes growing to over 22,000 tonnes a year.
The third A380 will replace the existing Boeing 777-300ER on 1 January 2017 and will make it the fourth fully A380 service in Europe after London, Paris and Barcelona.
Since Emirates started Manchester flights in 1990 cargo volumes have grown from 450 tonnes to over 22,000 tonnes a year.
Automotive, healthcare and foodstuffs are the main exports with Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Johannesburg the top destinations.
Emirates vice president UK, Laurie Berryman says: “Since 1990, Manchester has grown from a small regional airport to a vital gateway for the North of the country, and the demand we’re seeing for both travel and exports to Dubai and beyond has never been stronger.”
Manchester Airport Group commercial director, Stephen Turner adds: “We’re incredibly proud of our relationship with Emirates and how the airline has flourished here over the last 25 years. We’re looking forward to Emirates continuing to grow and celebrating many more milestones at Manchester Airport in the years to come.”
