Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, will soon be connecting more American businesses with international opportunities with the addition of a seventh US gateway to Emirates' global network. Washington DC, after the launch of flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Seattle earlier this year, will become the third US destination to join the Emirates SkyCargo network in 2012, injecting further impetus to the burgeoning trade lanes it operates between the US, its United Arab Emirates hub and points across the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Far East and Australasia.

Following the launch of its North American services with New York in 2004 - and the subsequent additions of Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco - Emirates SkyCargo has contributed to the steady growth in trade between the US and the UAE, which in 2011 increased by 43% to hit a record high of $18.34 billion*.

With businesses in states neighbouring all seven points connected by an extensive trucking network, companies in Maryland and Virginia can also expect to receive an economic boost from the service from Washington Dulles International Airport which commences on 12th September and is operated by a Boeing 777-300 ER.

'Emirates SkyCargo, offering the fastest trade link between Washington and the Middle East, will be providing a boost to the American economy by stimulating international trade between countries across our global network of more than 120 destinations,' said Ram Menen, Emirates' Senior Divisional Vice President Cargo. 'Our Dubai hub is strategically located within eight hours of two-thirds of the world's population and can connect US businesses to both established trading points in the Far East, as well as emerging markets in the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the Middle East.'

Goods ' including exports of transport equipment, electronic products, machinery parts and pharmaceuticals, as well as clothing, household goods, electrical appliances and pharmaceuticals going in the other direction ' will be handled at Emirates SkyCargo's state-of the-art Cargo Mega Terminal, a facility capable of handling 1.2 million tonnes per year.

'With direct daily flights and a range of innovative products and services, as well as a 173-strong fleet of modern wide-body aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo looks forward to providing American businesses with tailor made solutions to their cargo requirements. Washington is just one of 12 destinations to join our network this year. As each one is added, new trade lanes emerge, a trend which is set to continue as the 230-plus aircraft we have on order join our fleet.'

The UAE was the 19th largest export destination for American goods in 2011. US exports to the UAE reached $15.89 billion in 2011; an increase of 36% on 2010. The UAE more than doubled its exports to the US in 2011 to $2.44 billion, an increase of 113% on 2010.*

EK 231 will leave Dubai daily at 2:20 am and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 8:50 am. EK 232 will depart Dulles at 10:55 am arriving in Dubai at 8:00 am the following day.

Washington, DC will be Emirates' 12th new route to launch in 2012. So far this year, the airline has started services to Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle, Lusaka and Harare, Liege (cargo-only) and Ho Chi Minh City. Flights to Barcelona and Lisbon will start on July 3rd and July 9th respectively.