Updated April 2025 – because air freight is glamorous, too. In May 2023, Emirates SkyCargo shocked the cargo world with a retro move that got av-geeks buzzing: the Boeing 747-400F was back in the game, rocking the Emirates logo (and more thrust than your laptop fan when you open Photoshop).
But while the original news was bold, Emirates didn’t stop there. Fast forward to 2025, and they’ve got not one, not two, but six mighty 747 freighters in rotation – all thanks to a very clever series of wet leases. Here’s everything you missed while checking your FlightRadar alerts.
In This Post
Back in the 747 Business: What’s the Deal?
Let’s be clear – these birds aren’t Emirates-owned. They’re wet-leased, which means:
- Emirates uses the aircraft,
- The partner airline provides the crew, maintenance, and insurance,
- And the planes fly in near-full Emirates SkyCargo livery, just without the paperwork headache.
Meet the Six Workhorses:
| Registration | Operator | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| N415MC | Atlas Air | Seen in Frankfurt, wearing Emirates colours like a borrowed tux |
| OO-THD | ASL Airlines Belgium | Caught approaching Amsterdam’s Polderbaan in full glam |
| TC-ACF | AirACT (ACT Airlines) | Entered EK service July 2024, flying DXB–HKG and beyond |
| TC-ACG | AirACT | Sister ship to ACF, equally busy and beautifully loud |
| ER-BAM | Aerotranscargo | Pushing payloads with Moldovan precision |
| ER-BBJ | Aerotranscargo | Flying heavy and proud across the Emirates network |
Between them, they cover key routes like Dubai–Chicago, Dubai–Hong Kong, and DXB–Copenhagen (yes, Emirates now flies freighters to Denmark because why not).
The Bigger Picture: SkyCargo’s Master Plan
747s are just the start. Emirates is on a freight frenzy, and here’s how it’s playing out:
- 10x Boeing 777Fs currently in operation
- 13x more 777Fs on order, arriving by the end of 2026
- 10x Boeing 777-300ERs are being converted into freighters
- 38 freighter-only destinations (and growing)
- Cargo capacity is expected to double over the next decade
This isn’t Emirates dipping a toe in – it’s a full cannonball into the global freight pool.
Why This Matters
With passenger traffic bouncing back and e-commerce showing no signs of slowing down, cargo is no longer the nerdy cousin of aviation – it’s a serious revenue stream. And Emirates knows it.
They’re using these 747s to:
- Plug capacity gaps until more 777Fs arrive
- Serve high-yield, heavy cargo routes
- Keep up with rivals in a market where speed matters
AvGeek Angle: Why It’s Cool
Look, we all love the A350 and dream of the 777X someday existing, but there’s just something about a 747 freighter roaring down the runway with that bulbous nose and four angry engines that scream, ” Aviation royalty.”
Even if it is leased, Emirates bringing it back is like seeing a classic Ferrari in the Emirates lounge car park. It’s unexpected but very on-brand.
Final Load Sheet
- Emirates SkyCargo still operates 747Fs – six of them, through strategic wet-leases
- They’re part of a larger expansion plan involving 777 freighters and P2F conversions
- These queens of the sky are flying high in full Emirates dress, if not technically under their name
- It’s all about capacity, speed, and staying competitive in a freight game that’s only heating up
Keep the Miles Rolling
