Emirates SkyCargo, the air freight division of Emirates Airline, has removed the fuel surcharge with worldwide effect from January 1, 2002. This follows the fall of the fuel index to below 110 points. Following the sharp increase in fuel prices, Emirates SkyCargo implemented a surcharge of $10 cents per kilo in November 2000.
“We imposed the surcharge at a time when fuel prices had more than doubled. Rather than raise rates, Emirates SkyCargo opted for the surcharge as we believe that this is fairer to the consumer,” the carrier’s General Manager Pradeep Kumar said.
The Dubai-based Emirates SkyCargo recorded 1.1 billion Emirati dirhams ($290 million) in revenues in the financial year 2000/2001 which ended March 31, up 25.1 percent on the previous year. The company delivered 335,194 tons of freight in FY00/01, a 24.2 percent rise over the previous year. Of total cargo revenues, 20.8 percent were generated by two Boeing 747 freighters on the Dubai-Amsterdam and Dubai-Hong Kong routes.
SkyCargo contributed 17.3 percent of the Emirates Group total operating revenue, while accounting for 18.4 percent of airline transport revenues for the year. Emirates Group reported record net profit of $145 million, up 24.1 percent, on revenue of $1.9 billion, up 24 percent.
Established in 1985, Emirates SkyCargo utilizes the cargo holds of Emirates' passenger aircraft, plus two leased Boeing 747 freighters, to deliver to over 55 destinations worldwide. The company is expecting a delivery of A380 freighters in 2007 or 2008. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
