Emirates puts converted freighter into service

Emirates has become the first airline cargo carrier to put a Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft into commercial service, adding more cargo capacity as demand for air freight, particularly e-commerce shipments, continues to grow. The aircraft entered service on a Hong Kong–Dubai flight carrying more than 100 tonnes of cargo.

The Boeing 777-300ERSF can carry up to 100 tonnes of cargo and offers 811 cubic metres of cargo space. It provides about 25% more cargo volume than the Boeing 777-F production freighter and has 47 pallet positions, 10 more than the standard freighter. The added space is expected to support larger volumes of lightweight cargo, including e-commerce goods.

The aircraft is the sixth freighter to join Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet since March 2026, following the induction of five Boeing 777-F aircraft.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, said the airline is converting older Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to meet rising demand for air cargo capacity. He added that the expanded fleet has helped increase the airline’s freighter network from just over 40 destinations in February to 62 destinations.

Emirates SkyCargo plans to add five more Boeing 777-F aircraft and another converted Boeing 777-300ERSF by the end of 2026, followed by three more converted aircraft in 2027.