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Emirates has launched its new courier service in Australia that transports packages directly from origin to destination.
Unlike standard international deliveries, which often involve multiple handovers at intermediary hubs, the ‘Sky Courier Express’ model moves parcels like passengers with minimal stops.
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The launch in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, with 70 flights per week, follows its introduction in seven international markets in April.
“Since the early test phase of Emirates Courier Express, we knew Australia would be a key market,” said Dennis Lister, a senior vice president at Emirates SkyCargo.
“Logistically challenging and historically underserved, businesses and end consumers will feel the benefits of our direct connectivity, high frequency flight schedules and flexible, scalable solution.”
The airline has partnered with local transport providers to cover the “first and last mile” of delivery, allowing it to serve all of Australia from the outset. The ‘fully digital’ service includes options ranging from next-day urgent delivery to a two-day premium service, with further products in development.
According to Emirates, the volume of inbound small parcels to Australia has increased by 45 per cent over the past two years. However, only 6 per cent of global shoppers reportedly purchase from Australian sellers, with delivery delays and costs cited as major deterrents.
The news follows Emirates revealing that Adelaide would be the first destination to see its new fleet of long-range Airbus A350s.
Flights with Emirates’ new Airbus A350-900ULR variant, which can stay in the air up to 15 hours, will launch on the EK440/441 Adelaide-Dubai service from 1 December, or earlier if the first of the planes comes sooner.
Emirates relaunched non-stop flights from Dubai to Adelaide last October after a four-year hiatus. This was the first time Emirates has served South Australia since it halted flights in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and the South Australian Tourism Commission expects the route to generate more than $62 million per year for the state’s economy.
Additionally, Perth will be the fourth Australian city to see flights from Emirates’ refurbished A380s, which will take over the EK420/421 service starting 26 October or sooner.
