Emirates has become the first combination airline to put a Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter aircraft into commercial service, marking another step in the expansion of its cargo business.
The newly converted aircraft, registered A6-EBK, began operations with its first commercial flight from Hong Kong to Dubai, carrying more than 100 tonnes of cargo.
Compared with the standard Boeing 777-F, the converted freighter offers the same 100-tonne payload but around 25% more cargo volume. It also provides 10 additional pallet positions, making it particularly well suited for lighter, high-volume shipments such as e-commerce goods, a segment that continues to grow rapidly.
According to Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, converting older Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft allows the airline to increase cargo capacity while making better use of its existing fleet.
Since March 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has added six freighters to its fleet, including five new Boeing 777-F aircraft and this first converted 777-300ERSF. The airline has also expanded its dedicated freighter network from just over 40 destinations earlier this year to 62 destinations today.
The expansion is set to continue. Before the end of 2026, Emirates expects to receive five more Boeing 777-F freighters and another converted 777-300ERSF. Three additional converted aircraft are also scheduled to join the fleet in 2027.
The airline says the larger fleet will strengthen its ability to support global trade by providing more cargo capacity and improving connections between major manufacturing hubs and markets across its worldwide network.
