DUBAI- Emirates SkyCargo (EK) has launched a weekly freighter service to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), strengthening air cargo connectivity between Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The new route operates via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), adding 100 tons of weekly export capacity for Canadian shippers.
The service supplements existing bellyhold cargo capacity on Emirates (EK) passenger flights between Dubai (DXB) and Toronto (YYZ). It supports growing bilateral trade between Canada and the UAE, which saw a 24% year-on-year increase between 2023 and 2024.
Photo: Emirates
Emirates Adds New Cargo Flights to Toronto
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, described the freighter service as an important milestone in the carrier’s strategic network expansion.
He noted that Canadian exports to the UAE have grown steadily in recent years, driven by direct air connectivity and strong trade relations. The weekly freighter adds 100 tons of export capacity beyond what Emirates’ passenger flights already carry in their belly holds.
The routing through Amsterdam also opens a direct cargo link between Canada and the European Union, one of Canada’s largest trading partners. On the inbound leg, the freighter carries pharmaceuticals, perishables, and manufactured goods from the EU to Canada, creating a two-way trade corridor on a single service.
Kurush Minocher, Chief Commercial Officer at Toronto Pearson, highlighted the airport’s role as Canada’s largest air cargo hub. Toronto Pearson handles approximately 45% of the country’s total air cargo volume.
Minocher said the new Emirates freighter service provides Canadian shippers with reliable access to one of the world’s most expansive cargo networks and reinforces the airport’s position as a strategic gateway for global trade.
Photo: Emirates SkyCargo
Flight Schedule and Routing Details
The freighter operates on Fridays under the following schedule. Flight EK9943 departs Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) at 07:10 local time and arrives at Amsterdam (AMS) at 12:15 local time. The aircraft then continues from Amsterdam to Toronto Pearson (YYZ), arriving at 16:55 local time.
The return flight EK9944 departs Toronto Pearson (YYZ) at 19:15 local time on Fridays and arrives at Dubai World Central (DWC) at 16:15 local time on Saturdays.
The routing through DWC, rather than Dubai International Airport (DXB), aligns with Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter operations hub, which is based at the Al Maktoum International Airport facility.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanes
Key Commodities and Export Sectors
The Toronto freighter service targets several high-value and time-sensitive cargo categories from Canada. These include pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, electronics and components, and other general cargo.
Canadian exporters in these sectors benefit from Emirates SkyCargo’s suite of specialized transportation solutions designed for temperature-sensitive and time-critical shipments.
On the Amsterdam-to-Toronto segment, the freighter provides main deck cargo capacity for EU exports to Canada. Pharmaceuticals, perishables, and manufactured goods form the core commodity mix on this leg.
The main deck capacity is significant because it accommodates oversized and heavy shipments that bellyhold space on passenger aircraft cannot handle.
Photo: B777-200F | Emirates SkyCargo | A6-EFJ | VHHH | The latest m… | Flickr
Emirates SkyCargo’s Growing Presence in Canada
Emirates SkyCargo has served the Canadian market since Emirates launched passenger flights to Toronto in 2007. Since 2023, the carrier has transported over 11,000 tons of export cargo from Canada.
The airline further expanded its Canadian footprint in July 2023 by offering cargo capacity on passenger flights to and from Montreal (YUL).
The new freighter service underlines Emirates’ long-term commitment to Canada and reflects the carrier’s broader strategy of aligning its network with evolving global trade patterns.
Photo: Emirates
Fleet Expansion Fuels Network Growth
Emirates SkyCargo operates a global network spanning six continents, offering cargo capacity on Emirates’ fleet of over 270 aircraft, including dedicated freighters.
The carrier has taken delivery of four new Boeing 777 freighters since March 2026 and expects to add six more Boeing 777 freighter aircraft within the year.
This fleet expansion directly supports the launch of new freighter routes like Toronto and positions Emirates SkyCargo to capture growing demand across key trade lanes worldwide.
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