UAE-based Emirates reported a record profit of US$2.2 billion for the year 2015, in spite of softer revenues, which dropped 3 percent, year-over-year, to $25.3 billion. Revenues from the group\u2019s SkyCargo division comprised 14 percent of the airline\u2019s overall transport revenue, even as Skycargo unit revenues dropped 9 percent to $3 billion.
\nLower yields were attributed to weaker currencies and the \u201cdouble-edged sword\u201d of low fuel prices, the carrier said. Although the fuel prices, \u201cprovided relief on one of our major costs, it also created strong downward pressure on margins,\u201d said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates.
\nDespite falling yields, freight volumes showed positive growth for the year. Emirates reported a 7.2 percent increase in freight-tonne-kilometers flown by its fleet of 15 freighters and in the bellies of its 236 passenger aircraft.
\nTonnage was also up 6 percent for the year to 2.5 million tonnes.\u00a0 Emirates said that cargo carried in the bellyhold of passenger flights rose 6 percent as it added 29 widebody aircraft to its fleet during the year. \u00a0The addition of a 777F also lifted freighter-carried tonnage by 4 percent.
\nLooking ahead, Emirates said that \u201cSkycargo continues to play an integral role in the company\u2019s expanding operations.\u201d
\nSource: aircargoworld<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"