Emirates SkyCargo, the airline's cargo division has won a premier prize at the 'Cargo Airline of the Year' awards function hosted by Air Cargo News (ACN) in London.

The Dubai-based inter-continental carrier, which last won the ACN Cargo Airline of the Year in 2001, was also voted Best All-Cargo Airline and, for an incredible 21st successive year, Best Middle East Cargo Airline, said a statement.

It also took the prize for Best Air Cargo Carrier – Middle East in the 2009 Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards (AFSCAs) in Hong Kong.

This is the 14th consecutive year that Emirates SkyCargo has won this award. Organised by Cargonews Asia, the AFSCAs are widely regarded as the most authoritative for the industry in Asia.

Ram Menen, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president cargo, who was in London to accept the three awards there, said: 'Emirates SkyCargo is truly honoured to have received these incredible accolades from our partners in the international cargo community.'

'This recognition once again, coming at such a challenging time for everyone in our industry, provides the best possible acknowledgement of our continued investment and commitment to providing a world-class cargo operation,' he said.

Emirates SkyCargo won the awards at a time of continued development across its operation, with the recent arrival of its first Boeing 777F, joining its freighter fleet of seven Boeing 747-400F aircraft.

Emirates SkyCargo will take delivery of a second Boeing 777F – the quietest and most fuel efficient freighter in the sky today – later this year, with a further two of the type on order.

Later this year, Luanda and Durban will become the 17th and 18th destinations on Emirates SkyCargo’s African network, served with belly-hold capacity in Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Emirates SkyCargo currently serves a global route network of 100 destinations in 60 countries, with a fleet of 133 aircraft (including eight freighters).-TradeArabia News Service