Emirates starts cargo flight to Amsterdam

Sri Lankan plants and fresh fish will form a substantial part of the cargo when Emirates' inaugural passenger flight to Amsterdam arrives in the Dutch capital on May 1.

Live plants in the form of rooted cuttings accounts for a significant component of Emirates SkyCargo's revenue out of Colombo, and as much as 80 per cent of the tonnage transported goes to Amsterdam.

The introduction of passenger flights between Dubai and Amsterdam will provide greater capacity to Sri Lankan exporters on a route previously serviced by Emirates with freighter aircraft.

"The launch of daily services to Amsterdam with afternoon arrivals will be welcomed by our customers," said Emirates Cargo Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Damian Jayasuriya.

"Live Plants and edible Fish from Sri Lanka have been part of our regular cargo to the Netherlands for many years, and the extra capacity and frequency will benefit producers and the economies of the Western and Wayamba Provinces and parts of the Central Province," he said.