Emirates adds 10 cargo flights to Nairobi

Emirates SkyCargo has added 10 weekly flights to Nairobi amid increased demand for horticulture products abroad.

The routes, linking Kenya to European and Middle East markets, will be served by the company’s passenger plane Boeing 777-300ERs.

It gives producers more options after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the aviation business worldwide.

Airlines are increasingly using their passenger aircraft to ferry cargo as businesspeople and holidaymakers delay travel due to tight budgets and fears of contracting the coronavirus.

“By doing this, we are able to help countries and supermarkets maintain their food supplies and at the same time help farmers reliant on food exports continue to make their livelihoods in these challenging times,” Emirates cargo manager East Africa Saeed Abdulla said in a statement.

Data from the Directorate of Horticulture indicates that the horticulture earnings rose to Sh72 billion between January and May from Sh65 billion the same period last year buoyed by high demand.