After a successful year in 2007 that witnessed a series of launches and capacity building by the airline, Emirates SkyCargo is now gearing up to further tap into the huge potential of the Indian market.

Launching its consolidation, Emirates SkyCargo has made a series of high-level appointments in the region. Mr. Keki Patel, who has spent the past four years as Cargo Manager Western India, has been promoted to the role of Cargo Manager India & Nepal. In his new position he will oversee all of Emirates SkyCargo's activities in the burgeoning region.

The Western Region team has been strengthened with the creation of three new positions to facilitate the rapid cargo growth the area is experiencing. Mr. Sudeep Narayan has been appointed Sales Manager Key Accounts, Mr. Patrick Mascarenhas has been promoted to Cargo Sales Controller, and Mr. Niranjan Vadhavkar is now Cargo Controller Customer Services & Operations.

Speaking about his recent appointment, Mr. Patel said: 'It is an honor for me to have been given the opportunity to head up Emirates SkyCargo's operations in a market as vital as India. In India, Emirates SkyCargo is on the brink of one of the biggest and most exciting rates of expansion ever witnessed by any airline.

'India, by the sheer geography involved, is a diverse market with different challenges involved in each region. I am confident that with the enthusiastic and diligent team at SkyCargo, I can successfully lead them through what is undoubtedly one of Emirates' most exciting periods in the country."

Emirates SkyCargo operates three freighter flights a week to India ' two to Mumbai and one Chennai ' using Boeing 747Fs, which carry cargoes as diverse as pharmaceuticals to automobiles, and garments to telecoms equipment.

Commenting on the growth in the country, Emirates Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Operations Mr. Peter Sedgley, said: 'India has been a crucial region for the airline, especially given the growth witnessed there in the past two years. In 2008, Emirates SkyCargo aims to grow the cargo volumes we are carrying in and out of the country.

'The high-level appointments and introduction of higher-capacity aircraft to the region ensures that SkyCargo is properly prepared for some exciting times ahead in the Indian sub-continent.'