Emirates SkyCargo launches weekly freighter service to Toronto Pearson
Emirates SkyCargo launches a weekly freighter to Toronto Pearson, adding 100 tonnes capacity and strengthening UAE–Canada trade links via Amsterdam stopover.
Emirates SkyCargo has launched a new weekly freighter service to Toronto Pearson, expanding direct cargo links between the United Arab Emirates and Canada. The move adds 100 tonnes of dedicated capacity for Canadian exporters and integrates with existing bellyhold capacity on Emirates passenger services, boosting options for time‑sensitive and temperature‑controlled shipments. The new service aims to strengthen commercial ties by improving transit times and connectivity between Toronto, Amsterdam and Dubai.
Route and schedule details
The dedicated freighter departs Dubai World Central as EK9943 each Friday at 07:10 local time, arriving in Amsterdam at 12:15 before continuing to Toronto Pearson with an expected touchdown at 16:55. The return service, EK9944, leaves Toronto at 19:15 the same day and arrives back into Dubai World Central at 16:15 on Saturday, providing a weekly round trip rhythm for shippers. This schedule is designed to dovetail with Emirates’ passenger services between Dubai and Canadian gateways, creating complementary lift options across the network.
Capacity and cargo mix for Canadian exporters
Emirates SkyCargo says the freighter will contribute 100 tonnes of additional capacity specifically for Canadian trade, supporting exports including pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, electronics and general cargo. The extra tonnage is intended to relieve pressure on bellyhold space during peak periods while offering dedicated secure capacity for temperature‑sensitive and high‑value goods. Shippers handling perishable and time‑critical consignments are expected to benefit from the predictable weekly service and specialized handling capabilities.
Connectivity via Amsterdam expands market reach
The Amsterdam stopover on the westbound leg connects Toronto directly with a major European manufacturing and distribution hub, enabling seamless transfer of goods from the European Union into Canada. That link supports movement of EU‑manufactured items such as pharmaceuticals and short‑shelf‑life products that require tight transit control. By routing through Amsterdam, the service also creates onward connectivity to multiple European origins without requiring separate long‑haul lift.
Officials highlight trade growth and bilateral ties
Badr Abbas, Senior Vice President, Cargo at Emirates, described the Toronto freighter as a strategic expansion aligned with the carrier’s broader network growth and fleet development. Emirates highlighted steady growth in Canadian exports to the UAE, noting an annual increase of roughly 24 percent between 2023 and 2024, a trend the freighter aims to support. Kourosh Minouchahr, Chief Commercial Officer at Toronto Pearson, called the service an important milestone for Canada’s largest air cargo hub and said it reinforces the airport’s role as a gateway to global markets.
Operational scale and fleet investments
Emirates SkyCargo operates a global network that combines dedicated freighters with belly capacity on an overall Emirates fleet that exceeds 270 aircraft. The cargo arm received four Boeing 777 freighters in March 2026 and has plans to add six more 777 freighters during 2026, underpinning further route expansion and capacity growth. Those fleet investments are presented as central to Emirates SkyCargo’s ability to open new long‑haul freighter services and to provide guaranteed lift for export industries.
Implications for cold‑chain and high‑value sectors
The new route is expected to strengthen logistics options for temperature‑sensitive and high‑value Canadian exports, particularly pharmaceuticals, fresh food and precision electronics components. Predictable weekly departures and fast transits can reduce spoilage risk and support manufacturers who require reliable inbound and outbound supply chains. Logistics providers and freight forwarders operating between Canada and the Middle East are likely to use the service to offer more integrated end‑to‑end solutions for customers.
Emirates SkyCargo’s weekly Toronto freighter adds a targeted layer of capacity to an existing web of services and underscores the carrier’s long‑term commitment to the Canadian market, which it has served with passenger flights since 2007. By combining dedicated freighter lift with bellyhold capacity on passenger routes to Toronto and Montreal, the airline aims to offer Canadian exporters greater flexibility and enhanced connectivity to Europe, the Middle East and beyond.