Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing international airlines, has transported almost 34,000 tonnes between the U.S. and points across its global network since the addition of Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle and Washington, D.C. this year increased its number of American trade lanes to seven.

In the six months since its Seattle service was launched on March 1, Emirates SkyCargo has connected businesses across its U.S. network, including firms in New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco, to international trade opportunities in more than 120 destinations.

The total of 33,760 tonnes (11,000 tonnes of imports and 22,760 tonnes of exports) represents an increase of 145% on the 13,760 tonnes carried in the six months from December 3rd 2007, the day Houston became the second US destination for Emirates following New York City.

'Our expanded services have not only boosted U.S. trade with the UAE, but also with its business partners throughout the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Far East and Australasia,' said Ram Menen, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, at TIACA Air Cargo Forum, an event staged in Atlanta for the international air cargo and logistics industry.

'Emirates SkyCargo offers the fastest trade link between the U.S. and the Middle East and we are proud to be providing new international business opportunities for Dallas/Fort Worth, Seattle and Washington, D.C. firms in countries throughout our expanding network of 126 destinations, injecting impetus into America's imports and exports industry.

'With the creation of these three new trade lanes, this has been a landmark year for Emirates SkyCargo in the U.S. Our operation has grown significantly in the eight years since we launched our JFK passenger service and 2012 marks the start of an exciting new chapter in our partnership,' continued Menen. 'It is very pleasing to see consistent growth in cargo volumes since the early days of our operation, and once the new routes are established I would hope we will be making an even greater contribution to the U.S. economy.'

As well as expanding its network with 12 new destinations so far in 2012, Emirates has added 21 new aircraft to its fleet to date, recently taking delivery of a Boeing 777-F, the second new freighter to this year join the fleet, which now comprises five Boeing 777-Fs, two B747-400ERFs and one B747-400F.

On September 12, Emirates SkyCargo added a Washington, D.C. service operated by a Boeing 777-200 LR. The new route is already proving popular with local businesses, while firms in neighbouring Maryland and Virginia are being connected to the service by an extensive trucking network.

'Demand on our new Washington, D.C. service has exceeded expectations and is an encouraging indicator of the business potential in the area,' said Ed Chism, Emirates' SkyCargo Manager, USA. 'With a fleet of 186 modern wide-body aircraft, Emirates SkyCargo can provide American businesses with tailor-made solutions to their cargo requirements. Our constantly growing fleet and network enables us to create new trading links, providing U.S. firms with more and more opportunities to enter new markets.'

Goods ' including exports of transport equipment, electronic products, machinery parts and pharmaceuticals, as well as clothing, household goods and electrical appliances going in the other direction ' are handled at Emirates SkyCargo's state-of the-art Cargo Mega Terminal, a facility capable of handling 1.2 million tonnes per year. It is housed at its state-of-the-art hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB), located within eight hours of two-thirds of the world's population.

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