Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of the Dubai-based Emirates airline, was honoured by the cargo industry in London and Toronto this week when it received three prestigious awards.

At the UK’s Cargo Airline of the Year Awards, the carrier received two prizes - Best Airline to the Middle East for a 23rd consecutive year - while a Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Ram Menen, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo.

"Winning the Best Airline to the Middle East award highlights Emirates Sky Cargo's dedication to customer service and quality,” said Menen, who attended the ceremony. “Receiving the Lifetime Achievement award is something that I share with our entire Emirates SkyCargo team whose hard work and commitment make all of our success possible.”

The Cargo Airline of the Year awards are organised by trade magazine Air Cargo News and attract votes from readers across the world.

In Canada, Emirates SkyCargo was named Best Carrier Middle East for the second year in a row at the 11th annual Central Region Forwarders Choice Awards Gala. The night of celebration, which took place at the Mississauga Convention Centre, was hosted by the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) and attended by more than 500 executives from the airline and freight industries.

Carriers were nominated for the primary trade lanes that they service and the freight community voted for the best-in-class in categories, such as ground handling, customer service and moved as booked.

Emirates SkyCargo received the awards at a time of continuing growth. In 2010, the carrier launched 10 new routes, including four freighter services - to Almaty, Bagram, Campinas and Erbil. In 2011, a Basra service was launched in February; new routes to Geneva and Copenhagen are due to start in June and August respectively, while Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires will be added to the network in January 2012.

Emirates SkyCargo currently serves a global route network that spans 111 points in 66 countries, including 12 cargo-only destinations, while 51 one of the locations Emirates SkyCargo serves are e-freight compliant.

Emirates’ 152-strong fleet includes eight freighters (three Boeing 747-400Fs, two 747-400ERFs, two 777Fs and one 747-400SF) and is one of the youngest in the skies.