Emirates SkyCargo debuts converted Boeing 777-300ERSF, adds Accra flights for West Africa perishables
The 25% increase in storage capacity and ten additional pallet positions are designed to meet the rapid growth of the global e-commerce sector.
UAE – Emirates SkyCargo has debuted the converted Boeing 777-300ERSF freighter and added flights to Accra to boost perishable exports from West Africa.
The converted freighter, registered A6-EBK, offers 100 tonnes of payload capacity and 811 cubic metres of cargo volume, a 25% increase over Emirates’ production-built Boeing 777F.
Its 47 pallet positions, ten more than the standard freighter, provide additional space for bulky e-commerce shipments, which now account for around 20% of global air cargo tonnage.
Fleet Expansion and Global Network Growth
The converted aircraft is the sixth freighter to join the Emirates fleet since March, following five Boeing 777F production freighters. The airline plans to add five more 777F aircraft and one further converted 777-300ERSF by December, with three additional converted aircraft scheduled for 2027.
Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s divisional senior vice president, said that the carrier has grown its global freighter network from just over 40 destinations in February to 62 currently, significantly broadening its international reach.
Ghana Frequency Increase and Perishable Cargo Impact
Ghana’s air cargo connections stand to benefit directly from the broader expansion. Emirates already operates freighter and belly-hold cargo services to Accra, carrying fresh-cut fruit and other perishable exports from Ghana as part of a network that moved more than 91,000 tonnes of African perishables in 2024.
From 12 July, Emirates increases its Dubai-to-Accra passenger service from seven to 11 weekly flights, adding further belly-hold capacity on a route that Ghanaian exporters use to reach European and Asian markets.
E-Commerce Growth and Capacity Strategy
The 25% increase in storage capacity and ten additional pallet positions are designed to meet the rapid growth of the global e-commerce sector.
By adding multiple aircraft through the end of the year, the company aims to enhance its logistical agility and expand its network to dozens of new destinations. These developments represent a major investment in cargo infrastructure to meet evolving demands in the air freight industry, positioning Emirates SkyCargo for continued growth across both the e-commerce and perishable cargo segments.
The carrier’s commitment to adding nine more freighters by 2027 signals sustained investment in air cargo infrastructure, directly benefiting African horticultural exporters.
Finally, the combination of fleet modernization and increased frequency positions Emirates SkyCargo as a key logistics partner for West Africa’s growing perishable trade with global markets.
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