Emirates SkyCargo Expands at Rickenbacker

After only one year of operating import services from Dubai to Columbus, Ohio’s Rickenbacker International Airport, Emirates SkyCargo continues to add frequencies, services and local staff in order to meet increasing demand to move air freight through Columbus.

“In May of last year, Emirates began scheduled import service to Rickenbacker, flying a single weekly freighter frequency,” said David Whitaker, vice president of business development & communications at Rickenbacker. “Within a few months they increased their service to twice weekly and expanded again this year, adding export services and a third weekly frequency on May 5th. This has become a very successful route for Emirates and a tremendous partnership for us.”

In order to keep up with demand, Emirates often operates additional frequencies each month. Since April, they have flown 12 extra flights into Rickenbacker above and beyond their base schedule, a number that is growing on a weekly basis.

“We saw a lot of potential in working with Rickenbacker after flying several charters there for apparel shippers and auto manufacturers during the west coast port strike in early 2015,” said Arthur Brown, Emirates SkyCargo’s Regional Manager of the Central US. “Our forwarders and shippers in the region are extremely satisfied with the service and speed to market we are delivering. SkyCargo will expand in Rickenbacker with export development from the Ohio Valley, offering exceptional service to our global network.”

The SkyCargo Division is also making investments in staff to support the Columbus operation. “To develop exports and solidify our service; SkyCargo plans for a sales manager, an operations manager and a supervisor to join us in late July,” said Brown.

“We appreciate Emirates’ investment and commitment to Columbus, and the service options they bring to the benefit of forwarders and shippers in the region,” said Whitaker.