Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has strengthened its operations in France, with Lyon as its third French gateway to international trade opportunities across its network of 126 destinations.

The launch of flights to Lyon on December 5, operated by A340-500 with a belly-hold capacity of 15 tonnes, will take the annual cargo capacity in and out of the country to more than 52,000 tonnes spread across five flights to Lyon, seven to Nice and 19 to Paris.

The new gateway is Emirates’ 35th destination in Europe and should help stimulate another period of growth in France’s international cargo trade, which has grown significantly since Emirates SkyCargo commenced operations. In the last year it exported a total of 21,000 tonnes, representing an increase of 26 per cent on the 15,600 tonnes carried during the same period in 2007/08.

“After Paris, Lyon is a major economic centre in France and the long-term outlook for international trade is positive,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president of cargo. “With the airport boasting easy truck access and excellent links to Europe’s highway network, the potential to support businesses in surrounding areas is also very strong.”

“France - with a weekly capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes spread across the belly-hold of 31 return passenger flights serving Paris, Nice and Lyon – is a key trading point for Emirates SkyCargo. We expect there to be demand for a variety of commodities going into and out of Lyon and have no doubt the destination will be a strong addition to our European network.”

“With such a comprehensive service connecting businesses in France and Europe to opportunities in West Asia, the Middle East, Australasia, Africa and the Far East, we are in a good position to help the continent’s economic recovery by facilitating international trade with its business partners and opening it up to new markets on our ever-expanding network,” he added.

Goods coming into Lyon are expected to include leather products, clothing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and electronics, while wine, machine and electronics parts, and pharmaceuticals will be transported in the other direction. – TradeArabia News Service