In the wake of June’s historic nuclear program accord between Iran, the United States and various other nations, Emirates took steps to add capacity between Iran and Dubai. Beginning Sept. 1, Emirates SkyCargo will begin five weekly nonstop flights to Mashhad, Iran, which will become the carrier’s second Iranian destination after Tehran, which it has served since March 1990.
Last year, Emirates transported more than 17,500 tonnes of cargo to and from Iran. “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,” said Khalid Mohd Al Hinai, vice president cargo, commercial, for the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran.
With the new service to Mashhad, Emirates SkyCargo will offer more than 150 tonnes of belly-hold capacity between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, further exporting Iran’s fruit, vegetables, carpets, saffron, nuts and personal effects. Imports will include meat, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, machinery and auto parts. None of these items were included in the sanctions that have been imposed on Iran for many years by the U.S. and the United Nations Security Council over the country’s nuclear enrichment activities, according to Reuters.
Iran exports goods to Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Bahrain, Osaka, Tokyo, Melbourne, Sydney and Los Angeles. Main import markets include the UAE, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Mumbai, Frankfurt and Basel.
The new flights will be operated by an A330-200, departing Dubai every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, returning to Dubai later the same day.