News / Emirates switches air freight operations back to Dubai International, for now

© Genefa Paes

Emirates is to move its operations out of Dubai World Central (DWC), back to Dubai International Airport (DXB) from 1 April.

DWC opened in 2010 and was expected to be Dubai’s main hub.

But in a note to customers, the carrier said: “We face an unprecedented period of uncertainty due to Covid-19. A period where we will, for the first time, have no Emirates passenger operations out of DXB.

“Due to this unique situation … we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend operations at our freighter hub at DWC and consolidate our operations at DXB.

“It’s not ‘goodbye’, rather it’s ‘see you again’ – and hopefully sooner rather than later.”

Emirates’ freighters and ‘passenger freighters’ will all operate out of DXB.

One forwarder told The Loadstar: “Read into this a long-term message. Emirates obviously considers the world of travel and transport can’t service two hubs, so it has stood one down. And it will be for the foreseeable future.

“Emirates is admirable at distributing sense. And in this case, unfortunately, reality.”

The UAE this week suspended all inbound and outbound passenger flights at emirate airports, allowing only cargo and repatriation services.

Etihad has introduced its 787-10 aircraft to operate 34 weekly ‘passenger freighter’ flights, in 10 markets including India, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea – subject to permissions. Its normal freighter schedule will include additional services to Riyadh, London, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Emirates SkyCargo’s services can be found here.

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