UAE-based Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, is making Phuket its second Thai gateway by December after Bangkok.
The airline will launch the daily nonstop cargo flight to Phuket on December 10, 2012, employing an A340-300 with a capacity of 13 tonnes in its belly hold. The launch will take the weekly cargo capacity into and out of the country to more than 640 tonnes, spread across four flights to Bangkok and one to Phuket.
The largest island in Thailand and located off the southwest coast of the country, Phuket will become the 15th route created by Emirates this year, and the second in Southeast Asia following the launch of a flight to Ho Chi Minh City in June.
“Phuket, which is a very popular tourist destination, plays an important role in Thailand’s economy and with the launch of this service we will be able to connect businesses on the island to opportunities across our ever expanding global network,” said Ram Menen, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president for cargo.
Top imports into Phuket are meat, spare parts, diving equipment, office supplies, and fish, while the leading exports include tuna, live shrimp, and crab.
Photo courtesy of Emirates SkyCargo
