Emirates SkyCargo will increase its bellyhold cargo capacity to Iran, when Emirates Airlines begins its five non-stop flights to Mashhad from 1 September 2015.
Mashhad will become Emirates second Iranian destination after the capital Tehran, which Emirates has been serving since March 1990. Last year, Emirates handled more than 17,500 tons of cargo to and from Iran.
With the new service to Mashhad, Emirates SkyCargo will provide more than 150 tonnes of bellyhold capacity between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) each week.
This will further support Iran exports of fruits, vegetables, carpets, saffron, nuts, and personal effects, and its imports of meat, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, machinery and automobiles parts.
Emirates SkyCargo's vice president for cargo commercial for the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran, Khalid Mohd Al Hinai, says: "Iran is an important market for Emirates SkyCargo, and with our Dubai hub strategically located between East and West, we are able to offer Iranian manufacturers access to our global network coupled with a range of innovative products and services, such as our cool chain offering for time and temperature sensitive commodities.
"We anticipate that trade between the UAE and Iran to further flourish as a result of the launch of this new direct five times weekly service."
The top markets which Emirates SkyCargo carries Iranian's exports include Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Bahrain, Osaka (Japan), Tokyo, Melbourne and Sydney (Australia), and Los Angeles (US).
The main import markets include the UAE, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai (China), Mumbai (India), Frankfurt (Germany) and Basel (Switzerland)