TL;DR: Emirates SkyCargo is launching a weekly freighter service to Almaty, Kazakhstan from 16 June 2026, marking its first Central Asian destination. The carrier also added a Dubai-Amsterdam-Toronto freighter route in April 2026. Both routes use Boeing 777 freighters and each delivers over 100 tonnes of weekly capacity. Fleet expansion is accelerating, with 21 freighters expected by December 2026.

Emirates SkyCargo is moving fast. Two new freighter routes in the space of weeks signals a carrier executing a clear network strategy, not just filling gaps. Almaty on 16 June 2026 and Toronto from April 2026 put Boeing 777 freighter capacity into two markets that have been underserved by dedicated air cargo. Both routes deliver 100-plus tonnes of weekly lift. Both reflect where trade is actually growing.

The pace of fleet expansion backs the ambition. Four new Boeing 777 freighters have arrived since March 2026. Six more are due before year-end. That brings the total freighter fleet to 21 aircraft by December 2026. For forwarders pricing Central Asian and North American lanes, that capacity shift matters now.

Almaty: Emirates SkyCargo’s First Central Asian Freighter Route

The Almaty service launches 16 June 2026, operating every Tuesday from Dubai to Almaty International Airport. It is Emirates SkyCargo’s first dedicated freighter destination in Central Asia. The Boeing 777F carries over 100 tonnes per rotation. Primary commodities are electronics, perishables, machinery, and consumer goods moving between the Gulf and Kazakhstan.

A senior vice president at Emirates SkyCargo said the route supports its role as a global trade facilitator and opens new international trade opportunities for businesses in Almaty and the surrounding region. The service also ties to the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda, which targets acceleration of foreign trade and positions Dubai as a global logistics hub. For forwarders covering CIS markets, this is the first wide-body freighter option directly connecting Central Asia to the Emirates network.

Toronto Route: 100 Tonnes Weekly via Amsterdam

The Toronto service, announced 30 April 2026, connects Dubai World Central (DWC) to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Flight EK9943 departs DWC on Fridays at 07:10, touches down in Amsterdam at 12:15, then arrives Toronto at 16:55. The return, EK9944, departs Toronto at 19:15 on Friday and lands back at DWC on Saturday at 16:15. The Amsterdam stop is not just operational. It creates direct EU-Canada connectivity on the inbound leg, supporting movement of pharmaceuticals, perishables and manufactured goods between two of Canada’s largest trading blocs.

Toronto Pearson handles approximately 45% of Canada’s total air cargo volume. The new freighter adds 100 tonnes of weekly export capacity on top of existing bellyhold on Emirates passenger flights. Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President, was direct:

“Our weekly freighter to Toronto further amplifies this positive momentum, providing Canadian businesses with an additional 100 tons of export capacity every week over and above belly hold cargo capacity on Emirates passenger flights. The flight will also provide important connectivity between Canada and one of its largest trading partners, the EU, on the inbound segment with a stop at Amsterdam.” Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo

Canadian exports to the UAE grew 24% year on year between 2023 and 2024. Emirates SkyCargo has moved over 11,000 tonnes of export cargo from Canada since 2023.

Fleet Expansion Driving the Network Push

Four Boeing 777 freighters delivered since March 2026. Six more on order before December. Total fleet reaching 21 dedicated freighters by year-end. This is not incremental growth. Emirates SkyCargo is building capacity ahead of demand on lanes it has identified as structurally undersupplied. Almaty and Toronto are two of those lanes. More will follow as aircraft arrive.

Beyond dedicated freighters, Emirates SkyCargo operates bellyhold capacity across a passenger network spanning six continents. The combination of widebody freighters and bellyhold gives forwarders flexibility on both time-critical and volume-driven shipments. Kurush Minocher, CCO at Toronto Pearson, framed the commercial logic clearly:

“This new service provides shippers with direct, reliable access to one of the world’s most expansive cargo networks and reflects continued confidence in Toronto Pearson as a strategic gateway for global trade.” Kurush Minocher, Toronto Pearson

What This Means for Forwarders

Two new freighter lanes. 200-plus additional tonnes of weekly capacity. Dedicated Boeing 777 lift into Central Asia and Canada, two markets where widebody freighter options have been limited. For independent forwarders pricing DXB-ALA or DXB-YYZ lanes, this adds a credible scheduled option with known transit times and consistent capacity. The Amsterdam connection on the Toronto inbound also opens multi-leg routing for EU-origin cargo moving onward to Canada via Dubai.

At Cargo Solutions Network, we track route launches like these because they directly affect what you can quote and what you can book. New scheduled freighter capacity on a lane means more options to compare, tighter rates, and real alternatives to bellyhold-only solutions. If you are quoting cargo to Kazakhstan or Canada, check live rates on the CSN quoting portal to compare airport-to-airport (A2A) and door-to-door (D2D) options across carriers on these lanes right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Emirates SkyCargo Almaty freighter service start?

The weekly freighter service from Dubai to Almaty International Airport launches on 16 June 2026. Flights operate every Tuesday using Boeing 777 freighters, providing over 100 tonnes of cargo capacity per rotation.

How does the Toronto freighter route operate?

Flight EK9943 departs Dubai World Central every Friday at 07:10, stops at Amsterdam Schiphol, and arrives Toronto Pearson at 16:55. The return flight EK9944 departs Toronto at 19:15 on Fridays and arrives back at Dubai World Central on Saturdays at 16:15.

How many freighters will Emirates SkyCargo operate by end of 2026?

Emirates SkyCargo expects to reach 21 dedicated freighters by December 2026. Four Boeing 777 freighters have been delivered since March 2026, with six more scheduled for delivery before year-end.

What cargo types will the Almaty route carry?

The Almaty service is designed for electronics, perishables, machinery, and consumer goods. It is Emirates SkyCargo’s first dedicated freighter route in Central Asia.

What is the significance of the Amsterdam stop on the Toronto route?

The Amsterdam Schiphol stopover creates direct EU-Canada cargo connectivity on the inbound leg. It supports movement of pharmaceuticals, perishables, and manufactured goods between Europe and Canada via the Emirates SkyCargo network.

Quote these lanes today. CSN gives freight forwarders free access to live rates and booking on A2A and D2D routes worldwide. No subscription fees. No platform tax. Built by freight people, for freight people. Search, compare and book the routes that work for your cargo.