Emirates optimistic of Lanka
Increases cargo operations:
Indunil Hewage
Emirates is optimistic about its operations in Sri Lanka. It is
looking at more opportunities to increase route profitability, cargo and
passenger capacity in its global operations in the future. “Fundamentals
in Sri Lanka are very strong. The country would manage to record a
significant growth in a sustainable manner if the required measures are
taken well. Sri Lanka has a high potential in the high fashion garment
segment and tuna exports in the world.
|
|
Ravishankar Mirle |
Majid Al
Mualla |
Sri Lanka is capable of manufacturing high fashion garments
surpassing other garment manufacturing countries due to its high
competency, expertise, high-tech machinery and talented workforce,”
Emirates Asia and Australasia Cargo Commercial Operations Regional
Manager Ravishankar Mirle said.
In a good month Emirates carries 1600 tonnes of cargo per month from
Sri Lanka to other countries. However, Emirates has the capacity to
carry upto 1,800 tonnes of cargo per month. The amount of cargo brought
into Sri Lanka from other countries per month is around 300 tonnes.
However, the maximum cargo exports from Sri Lanka in Emirates flights
per month depends on the passenger numbers in the flights.
Sri Lanka’s contribution to the entire Emirates cargo network and
Indian Ocean and West Asian countries is recorded at two percent and 10
percent respectively. Emirates is the number one perishable goods
carrier in Sri Lanka and owns a 20 percent market share in the total
cargo operations in Sri Lanka.
Previously Emirates carried 60 percent of garments and 40 percent of
perishable items in its flights from Sri Lanka to other destinations.
Currently, it carries 80 percent of perishable items and 20 percent of
garments to other countries.
The total cargo exports from Sri Lanka to other countries has also
increased taken with the vegetable and fruits production in Eastern and
Northern areas in the country. Sri Lanka exports garment products, live
plants, fruit and vegetables, foliage, betel leaves and edible fish to
various destinations in the world. Emirates carries various fabrics,
buttons, hooks, collar stiffeners, pharmaceuticals from various
destinations in the world to Sri Lanka.
In 2010 Emirates declared six passenger routes and has announced
three new service destinations to Basra in Iraq, Geneva in Switzerland
and Copenhagen in Denmark in 2011.
“The new passenger routes to Basra, Geneva and Copenhagen are to be
launched in February 2, June 1 and August 1 this year,” Emirates West
Asia and Indian Ocean Commercial Operations Senior Vice President Majid
Al Mualla said.
Emirates currently has fifteen A380s in service and is expected to
purchase seventy five A380s in the coming years.
|