Emirates rolls out enhanced air cargo service for data center operators

Cargo airlines view AI boom as major profit center

The cargo division of Middle East carrier Emirates has introduced a dedicated product designed to facilitate the shipping process for cloud computing companies and suppliers with time-critical AI-related products, which have become a major driver of air cargo demand in the past year.

The product combines priority loading, specialized handling to keep equipment upright and minimize risk of damage, and proactive airport-to-airport shipment monitoring for server racks, semiconductors, graphics processing units and other critical hardware, the airline said in a news release this week.

Why It Matters: The rapid adoption of AI technologies and construction of data centers has lifted revenues for large logistics companies and airlines, which view hyperscalers as a big growth opportunity. AI-related goods such as semiconductors and data-transmission equipment have become a major driver of international trade growth. Shipments of electronics and equipment needed for server farms have contributed mightily to the 5% to 6% growth in air cargo traffic, year-to-date through October, offsetting declines in e-commerce volume. 

Large-scale deployments typically involve high-value cargo, compressed timelines and specialized handling requirements, with much of the demand involving intra-Asia shipments between suppliers and manufacturers, and exports from Asia to other parts of the world. Japan Airlines recently began chartering Boeing 747 cargo jets to support freight forwarder Nippon Express, which needed dedicated capacity for technology clients.