Emirates to set up cargo hub at Karachi airport

The airline handles the largest cargo business in Karachi.

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s flag carrier Emirates Airline has decided to establish a cargo business hub at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport.

According to reports, Emirates has requested 90,000 square feet of space at the Karachi airport's cargo terminal. The decision to create a cargo hub in Karachi comes in response to the growing demand for cargo business.

Currently, Emirates handles the largest cargo business in Karachi, with over 27,000 tons of cargo transported from Karachi alone in 2024.

In contrast, due to lack of attention and proper planning, PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) was only able to handle 2,000 tons of cargo from Karachi in 2024.

Sources indicate that in response to Emirates’ request, the Airports Authority has started working on allocating space at the cargo terminal.

A month ago, Emirates officially launched its new travel store in Karachi, making it the airline's first experiential retail concept rolled out in West Asia.

The store was inaugurated by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates' Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Bakheet Ateeq Al-Rumaithi, Consul General of the UAE in Karachi, who was also present at the event, highlighted the strong ties between the UAE and Pakistan.

Speaking about participation in the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Essa Sulaiman Ahmad said, "We are concentrating more on our own airline and do not look at buying any stake or carrier. We just spent $2 billion to retrofit our aircraft. We are definitely looking at our own growth."