Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates Airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Astral Aviation, an African cargo airline, to enhance global trade connectivity to and from Africa. The partnership aims to leverage both airlines' networks and expertise to support increased cargo flows and expand access for businesses on the continent.
Astral Aviation currently operates a network of 50 intra-Africa destinations through scheduled services and charter flights. In comparison, Emirates SkyCargo serves over 145 global destinations using a fleet of passenger aircraft and dedicated freighters. Both airlines also share expertise in transporting sensitive cargo such as fresh produce and pharmaceuticals, which are key commodities for African markets.
The agreement was formalized at Air Cargo Africa, with representatives from both companies—Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, and Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation—attending the signing. Under the MoU, the two airlines will collaborate on initiatives such as expanding cargo interline agreements and developing block space arrangements to increase connectivity for African businesses in international markets.
Focus on expanding trade and connectivity
Badr Abbas highlighted the significance of Africa's economic potential, noting that the continent is home to several of the world's fastest-growing economies. He emphasized the importance of improving logistics infrastructure and expanding market access to support global trade and economic development.
Sanjeev Gadhia echoed this sentiment, describing the agreement as a milestone in the 15-year commercial relationship between the two airlines. He noted that the collaboration aims to foster innovation and improve global trade connectivity for African businesses.
Broader economic context and trade cooperation
The agreement comes amid increasing economic and investment ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Africa. The UAE has become the largest investor from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Africa and ranks as the fourth-largest global investor on the continent. Recently, the UAE and Kenya signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to promote trade and investment in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and renewable energy.
The partnership between Emirates SkyCargo and Astral Aviation is expected to support trade growth initiatives aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost Africa's exports to the global market by 32% by 2035.
Operational expansion in Africa
Emirates SkyCargo began its operations in Africa in 1986 with its inaugural flight to Cairo, Egypt. Since then, the airline has expanded its presence across the continent, now offering seven scheduled freighters and belly hold cargo capacity on 172 weekly passenger flights to 20 destinations across Africa.
Astral Aviation, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, has been operating for 24 years, providing airfreight services across Africa with operational hubs in Nairobi, Johannesburg, Liege, and Dubai. The company continues to offer cost-effective airfreight solutions to meet the growing demands of intra-African and global trade.
For more information:
Emirates SkyCargo
Email: pr@emirates.com
www.skycargo.com