DUBAI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Emirates SkyCargo, the air freight division of United Arab Emirates (UAE) international carrier Emirates Airline, transported 27,000 tonnes of cargo from Colombo in 2017-18, a significant 23 percent of the 118,000 tonnes of goods the island exported by air in the year, Emirates said in an e-mailed statement on Wednesday.

Emirates said with 28 flights from and into Sri Lanka's capital Colombo weekly, and the capacity to carry approximately 20 tons of cargo in the belly hold of each Boeing 777 aircraft, "Emirates SkyCargo is one of the main carriers of Sri Lanka's trade commodities and thus makes a noteworthy contribution to the national economy."

Edible fish, fruit and vegetables, flowers and other cut foliage and readymade garments are among the principal exports that SkyCargo transports from Sri Lanka to markets across the globe.

Emirates SkyCargo is the world's largest international air cargo airline operating a fleet of 257 wide body passenger aircraft and 14 freighter aircraft.