Emirates SkyCargo Deploys Two Additional Freighters to India, Expanding Capacity

Emirates SkyCargo Deploys Two Additional Freighters to India, Expanding Capacity

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on February 27, 2026

Emirates SkyCargo is expanding its operations in India with the deployment of two additional weekly freighters, reinforcing its four-decade-long presence in the market. One freighter will operate to Mumbai and the other to Ahmedabad, adding capacity to meet growing demand from Indian businesses and exporters.

The cargo arm of Emirates continues to strengthen key trade lanes, connecting Indian companies with partners, suppliers, and customers worldwide. With this expansion, Emirates SkyCargo will offer an average uplift of 3,000 tonnes every week.

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At present, Emirates serves India with three weekly freighters, one to Mumbai and two to Ahmedabad, alongside bellyhold capacity on 167 passenger flights operating to nine gateways across the country. The new freighter service to Mumbai will launch on 4 March 2026 and will operate via Dubai and Singapore. The additional Ahmedabad service will be a direct and dedicated freighter, also commencing in March 2026. Both aircrafts are expected to carry key commodities including pharmaceuticals, fresh fruits, vegetables, other perishables, and personal electronic devices.

Beyond India, Emirates SkyCargo will also deploy a dedicated weekly freighter to Dhaka, Bangladesh, from April 2026. This further expansion underlines strong regional demand and the airline’s continued commitment to South Asia.

“Our new freighter frequencies to India reflects both the strength of India’s trade corridors, and our long-term commitment to supporting them,” said Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo. “India is a powerhouse of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, perishables and eCommerce and the demand for reliable and stable capacity continues to grow. These additional freighters bolster our existing operations, by offering more connectivity and capacity to ensure we continue to serve our customers in India and across the globe.”

As the third anniversary of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) approaches, bilateral trade between the two nations continues to grow at pace. India’s exports to the UAE are expanding faster than overall export growth, supported by Emirates SkyCargo’s weekly movement of goods. This includes around 600 tonnes of pharmaceuticals, 500 tonnes of perishables, large volumes of garments, textiles, and clothing, along with an increasing share of personal electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.

In addition to air capacity, Emirates SkyCargo has built a wide trucking network to reach offline destinations across India. During 2025, more than 1,000 Emirates SkyCargo trucks transported close to 5,500 tonnes of cargo nationwide. These shipments included automotive and aircraft spare parts, clothing and textiles, machinery, tools, spices, and even a satellite. Temperature-controlled reefer trucks were also deployed to safely move pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

The airline has recently added Coimbatore and Goa to its road network as offline stations, opening up new global access for businesses in these regions. Coimbatore, in particular, is a strong manufacturing hub with a large base of SMEs across engineering, textiles, and automotive sectors, making this connectivity a meaningful boost to India’s export economy.

Since launching operations to Mumbai and Delhi in 1985, Emirates SkyCargo has steadily expanded its footprint and now serves nine Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. Supported by India’s Cargo Open Sky policy for exports, the airline continues to extend its reach and strengthen outbound connectivity to its well-established global network.

This week, Emirates SkyCargo has also been actively participating in discussions and workshops at Air Cargo India, one of the industry’s leading events. Alongside meetings, networking sessions, and media briefings, the airline’s leadership joined panel discussions with industry peers to examine the rapid evolution of India’s logistics ecosystem over the past two years.

Adding to its achievements, Emirates SkyCargo was named International Airline of the Year at the STAT Times International Awards for Excellence in Air Cargo for the third consecutive year. The recognition reflects the airline’s continued focus on supporting global supply chains in an evolving trade environment.


Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Expands Delhi Presence with Shahdara Branch

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited (ABHFL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, has expanded its presence in New Delhi with the launch of a new branch in Shahdara. With this addition, the company now operates four branches in the capital, strengthening its distribution network in one of India’s key housing finance markets.

Shahdara, a well-connected and steadily developing residential locality, continues to witness consistent housing demand supported by strong metro and rail connectivity and proximity to key commercial hubs across Delhi and the NCR region. ABHFL’s new branch aims to improve accessibility to tailored housing finance solutions for homebuyers in the area.

The company offers a wide range of housing finance products including affordable housing loans, prime housing loans, construction finance, and loans against property. These services cater to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, and emerging income groups, supported by a digital-first onboarding system that enables faster approvals and improved transparency.

To mark the launch, ABHFL has introduced a limited-period offer featuring zero login fees along with spot loan sanctions of up to ₹50 lakh. The offer is valid from June 24 to June 30, 2026, and is designed to encourage quicker and more affordable access to home financing.

Speaking on the expansion, Pankaj Gadgil, MD & CEO of Aditya Birla Housing Finance Limited, said that New Delhi remains a key growth market for the company. He added that ABHFL is focused on deepening customer engagement by combining its expanding physical presence with strong digital capabilities to simplify the home loan journey.

The expansion aligns with ABHFL’s broader strategy of strengthening its retail lending portfolio while promoting financial inclusion and delivering a smoother, customer-centric “Happy Home Loan Journey” for borrowers across India.


Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

Ginger Strengthens Presence with New Hotels in Siwan and Agra

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 30, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has expanded the footprint of its Ginger brand with the opening of Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road in Bihar and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road in Agra.

Commenting on the expansion, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – Hotel Openings & New Businesses, IHCL, said, "With the launch of Ginger hotels in Siwan and Agra, Ginger continues to strengthen its presence across India’s commercial and cultural cities. Siwan is rapidly emerging as a center for trade and commerce in Bihar, while Agra remains one of the country’s most iconic tourist destinations with strong demand from both domestic. The openings of Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra reflect our strategy to expand in high-potential markets."

Located on Fatehabad Road, Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road features 70 keys, offering modern amenities and cityscape views. Guests can dine at Qmin, Ginger's signature in-house restaurant, which serves a selection of Indian, Mughlai and international cuisine. The hotel also includes a bar, providing a space for guests to relax and socialise.

In Bihar, Ginger Siwan, Chapra Road offers 30 keys designed for convenience, comfort and hassle-free stays. The hotel also features Qmin, the brand's all-day dining restaurant, serving a mix of local favourites and international dishes.

Both Ginger Siwan and Ginger Agra Fatehabad Road are equipped with banquet halls and meeting venues, making them suitable for corporate events as well as social gatherings.


Eight Continents Expands India Presence with Hanric Launch in Varkala

Eight Continents Expands India Presence with Hanric Launch in Varkala

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 30, 2026

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, the UK-based luxury hospitality and hotel management group, has announced the launch of Hanric, Varkala, further expanding the Hanric by Eight Continents brand in India. The new property marks another step in the group's strategy to strengthen its presence across high-potential travel destinations while growing its experiential hospitality portfolio in the country.

Located in the heart of Varkala, the hotel has been designed to reflect the destination's unique coastal charm while offering guests a contemporary and comfortable stay. Known for its scenic cliffside views, beautiful beaches, vibrant local culture and rising popularity as a wellness destination, Varkala continues to attract travellers looking for a mix of relaxation, exploration and authentic experiences.

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Hanric, Varkala features 32 well-appointed rooms, along with a restaurant, bar and banquet facilities, making it suitable for leisure stays, intimate celebrations and social gatherings. Blending modern comforts with warm hospitality, the property offers guests an ideal base to explore Kerala's picturesque coastline.

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts will manage the property by drawing on its expertise in delivering personalised guest experiences, operational excellence and destination-led hospitality. The company aims to establish Hanric, Varkala as a preferred stay option for visitors to the region.

Commenting on the launch, Ms. Richa Adhia, Managing Director, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, said, "The launch of Hanric, Varkala marks an important milestone in the growth of the Hanric by Eight Continents brand. Varkala's growing popularity as a coastal getaway makes it a natural fit for our vision of creating distinctive hospitality experiences rooted in place and culture. Through this property, we aim to offer travellers an authentic connection to the destination while further strengthening our presence in India's growing experiential hospitality landscape."

The launch reflects the group's continued focus on expanding in destinations with strong tourism potential and increasing demand for experience-led travel. Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts currently operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including Treetop, Hanric, Stamps, Ocho Homes and Signature Collection, across India, the United Kingdom and East Africa. Its growing presence includes destinations such as Belfast, Guernsey, Zanzibar, Kasauli, Udaipur, Sariska, Jodhpur, Pushkar and Varkala, highlighting the group's commitment to building a design-led hospitality portfolio across emerging and established travel markets.

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