Emirates SkyCargo has added frequencies, services and local staff at Rickenbacker International Airport to meet increasing demand to move airfreight through Columbus.
The carrier started a year ago on import services from Dubai to Columbus, in Ohio on a once a week rotation, before upping to two a few months later and added a third in May.
To keep up with demand, Emirates often operates additional frequencies each month. Since April 2016, they have flown 12 extra flights into Rickenbacker above and beyond their base schedule, a number that is growing on a weekly basis.
Emirates SkyCargo’s regional manager of the central US, Arthur Brown says: “We saw a lot of potential in working with Rickenbacker after flying several charters there for apparel shippers and auto manufacturers during the west coast port strike in early 2015.
“Our forwarders and shippers in the region are extremely satisfied with the service and speed to market we are delivering. SkyCargo will expand in Rickenbacker with export development from the Ohio Valley, offering exceptional service to our global network.”
Emirates is also making investments in staff to support the Columbus operation and to develop exports and solidify its service plans to employ a sales manager, an operations manager and a supervisor in late July at the gateway.
“We appreciate Emirates’ investment and commitment to Columbus, and the service options they bring to the benefit of forwarders and shippers in the region,” says Rickenbacker vice president of business development and communications, David Whitaker.