Emirates SkyCargo transported 27,000 tonnes of cargo from Colombo in 2017-18, representing almost a quarter of airfreight exports from Sri Lanka.

With 28 flights to and from Colombo a week with the capacity to carry 20 tonnes of cargo per Boeing 777 flight, Emirates SkyCargo is one of the main carriers of Sri Lankan trade.

Fish, fruit and vegetables and other cut foliage, and readymade garments are among the principal exports that Emirates SkyCargo transports from Sri Lanka.

Emirates cargo manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Kapila Santhapriya says: “In 2017-18, Emirates SkyCargo carried more than 7,500 tonnes of fish, which is about 40 per cent of the 17,500 tonnes of edible fish that Sri Lanka exported to USA and Europe. Our flight frequencies and our global network reach from Colombo support the local fish and seafood exports industry.”

Fish exports include tuna, shrimp, prawns, crabs and lobsters to markets including the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands and the USA, with exports being valued at $250 million.

In addition to seafood, Emirates SkyCargo transported 5,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables including bananas, papaya, pineapples, seasonal fruits, bitter gourd, green chillies, drumstick, snake gourd and red onion.