Emirates SkyCargo’s state-of-the-art cargo terminal at the Logistics District in Dubai South was officially inaugurated Tuesday by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

Named Emirates SkyCentral, the cargo facility is the home of Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet of 15 freighter aircraft, and was officially opened on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show.

“The opening of Emirates SkyCentral is an important milestone for us, as it represents our vision for future growth and firmly establishes Emirates SkyCargo as the world’s leading air cargo carrier across all its operational areas. The space it currently occupies on the land allocated to us at Dubai South is part of a much bigger area, which we can develop over time to increase our cargo handling capacity to achieve our vision of 12 million tons annually by 2050, from the current 2.3 million tons,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional SVP, Cargo.

Mohsen Ahmed, VP of Logistics at Dubai South, said: “With the launch of the Emirates SkyCargo facility, Dubai South begins an exciting new chapter in its journey toward establishing Dubai’s excellence as a logistics hub. Dubai South offers the ideal connection point for sea and air cargo, which calls for rapid movement to the markets of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.”

Emirates SkyCentral is located 77 km from Dubai International Airport (DXB) — a convenient location with factories and forwarders in the surrounding areas, and in close proximity to a dedicated corridor to the Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone.

With Emirates SkyCargo’s dual operation of belly hold cargo being managed at its Cargo Mega Terminal at Dubai International and freighter cargo at DWC, cargo is moved 24/7 by truck between the two airports via a bonded virtual corridor.