Emirates SkyCargo launches dedicated US-UAE e-commerce delivery service

Emirates SkyCargo has launched a new e-commerce delivery platform, “Emirates Delivers.” According to the carrier, Emirates is the first carrier worldwide to launch a dedicated e-commerce delivery platform for customers, with which the carrier intends to streamline and reduce costs for customers’ e-commerce shipments travelling from the U.S. to the United Arab Emirates.  

The platform is also meant to strengthen Dubai’s pursuit to become a global hub for e-commerce, in line with the Dubai Silk Road Strategy announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the executive council of Dubai.  

Customers can use the Emirates Delivers platform to consolidate shipments from multiple, online U.S.-based retailers before having the goods delivered to a home or office address in the UAE. To use Emirates Delivers customers must first register for a free account on the platform. Once registered, customers will be allocated a free Emirates Delivers mailing address in the U.S., where they can have their online purchases from U.S. e-commerce retailers delivered and stored free of charge for up to 30 days. Customers will then be able to create a shipping request anytime within the 30 days to have their purchases consolidated into one parcel and delivered to their designated UAE address. The package will be transported from the U.S. to the UAE on an Emirates SkyCargo flight and delivered to the customer’s doorstep within three to five days of the initial shipping request.  

Emirates SkyCargo said the service can ultimately save customers money through cheaper shipping costs both by shipping within the U.S. from the U.S.-based retailer to their Emirates Delivers mailing address, as well as through the “competitive” shipping rates offered by Emirates Delivers to move the consolidated goods from the U.S. to Dubai. 

“The e-commerce industry has grown by more than 150% in the last five years and we have been working with industry partners to develop an ideal delivery platform that can … deliver optimal value to our end customers,” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president of cargo.  

The platform is currently available to individuals and small business customers in the UAE. However, Emirates SkyCargo said it is planning to expand the availability of Emirates Delivers to a larger number of source and destination markets in the near future but has not yet provide further details.