Canada-UAE trade: Emirates SkyCargo launches weekly freighter service to Toronto
North American reach expanded with strategic Toronto Pearson route
DUBAI – Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates SkyCargo, has introduced a weekly dedicated freighter service to Toronto Pearson Airport, marking a significant expansion of its North American operations.
The new route further strengthens air freight connectivity between Canada and the UAE, while also reinforcing trade flows between Canada and key global markets.
The service is designed to support rising demand from Canadian exporters and enhance the efficiency of international supply chains. It also builds on the airline’s long-standing presence in the Canadian market, which began with passenger operations in 2007.
Dubai-Toronto route
The new freighter service operates from Dubai World Central every Friday as EK9943, before continuing via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Toronto. The route then returns as EK9944 from Toronto back to Dubai on the same weekly cycle. This triangular routing enhances flexibility for cargo movement between North America, Europe and the Middle East, creating additional touchpoints across Emirates SkyCargo’s global network.
According to Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, exports from Canada to the UAE have increased by 24 per cent year on year between 2023 and 2024. He noted that the new freighter adds around 100 tons of export capacity every week, supplementing existing bellyhold space on passenger aircraft. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Amsterdam stop, which enables continued cargo movement between Canada and the European Union, one of its largest trading partners, particularly for inbound freight flows.
Significant milestone
Toronto Pearson Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Kurush Minocher described the launch as a significant milestone for the airport, which handles approximately 45 per cent of Canada’s total air cargo volume. He emphasised the airport’s role as a critical logistics gateway supporting Canadian economic activity and global trade connectivity. The addition of Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter service further strengthens its position as a strategic node in international cargo operations.
The EK9943 service departs Dubai World Central at 07:10 local time, arriving in Amsterdam at 12:15. It then continues to Toronto, landing at 16:55 local time. The return flight EK9944 departs Toronto at 19:15, arriving in Dubai at 16:15 the following day.
The service is expected to support high-demand export categories from Canada, including pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, electronics and components, along with other general cargo. These commodities are particularly reliant on time-sensitive and temperature-controlled logistics solutions, which Emirates SkyCargo integrates across its specialised handling network.
Between Amsterdam and Toronto, the freighter also facilitates movement of pharmaceuticals, perishables and manufactured goods from Europe into Canada, strengthening transatlantic supply chains. Emirates SkyCargo’s broader fleet, which includes over 270 aircraft, continues to expand, with four Boeing 777 freighters recently delivered since March 2026 and six more scheduled for delivery within the year.
With over 11,000 tons of Canadian export cargo transported since 2023 and additional capacity introduced through this new service, Emirates SkyCargo continues to deepen its operational footprint in Canada. The airline has also extended cargo services to Montreal, further diversifying its Canadian network and reinforcing long-term commitments to the region’s trade infrastructure.