Carrier operating increasing number of charters to transport relief supplies and medical equipment in the shadow of the present pandemic
Emirates SkyCargo has rapidly scaled up its cargo services to connect an increasing number of global destinations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The air cargo carrier currently operates flights to 51 destinations globally, out of which 19 cities are served by the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter aircraft offering up to 100 tonnes of capacity per flight and 38 destinations are served by dedicated cargo flights on Emirates’ Boeing 777 passenger aircraft offering up to 50 tonnes belly capacity.
“We have particularly ramped up operations for transporting cargo in the bellyhold of our passenger aircraft in the last two weeks. Air cargo remains the fastest means of connecting essential supplies to those that need them and our expanded network allows for increased connectivity across different global origins and destinations,” observed Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo.
During the week ending 4 April 2020, Emirates SkyCargo had operated more than 160 flights on its freighter aircraft and close to 90 flights on its passenger aircraft. The following week, the air cargo carrier had operated close to 160 flights on its passenger aircraft alone.
Charter Operations
Emirates SkyCargo has also operated an increasing number of special charter flights for cargo both on its freighter and passenger aircraft. Since the start of April, the carrier has executed more than 30 charter flights connecting over 20 global destinations.
The main commodities transported on the charter flights are medical supplies including face masks, protective covers, sanitizers, equipment for hospitals in addition to pharmaceuticals, raw materials and spare parts.
Timeline
In the space of just three days between 7 and 9 April, some of the notable charters operated by Emirates SkyCargo included
- 100 tonnes of masks and other protective supplies transported from Guangzhou to Dubai on 7 April. This was part of several other charters to bring medical supplies into the UAE.
- Close to 100 tonnes of medical supplies including masks and other protective equipment transported on 8 April from Shanghai to Mumbai on the Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 freighter
- 100 tonnes of protective equipment transported from Shanghai to Dubai on a Boeing 777 freighter on 8 April. The supplies will then be flown to Bucharest on 10 and 11 April on four separate flights on the Boeing 777 passenger aircraft.
- Over seven tonnes of medical supplies transported to Los Angeles on 8 April in the belly hold of an Emirates’ Boeing 777 passenger aircraft. This was also the first dedicated cargo flight on a passenger aircraft operated by Emirates SkyCargo to North America.
- Close to one million Covid-19 testing kits were transported to Sao Paulo on 9 April. An earlier shipment containing 500,000 kits was transported on 30 March.
Bringing food and medical supplies to the UAE
From across its global network, Emirates SkyCargo has helped import more than 33,000 tonnes of perishable items and more than 1,700 tonnes of pharmaceuticals into the UAE since the start of the year.
“With our expanded network now covering more than 50 global destinations, Emirates SkyCargo remains committed to maintaining and constantly replenishing vital food and medical supplies in the country,” emphasized Sultan.
Globally, the air cargo carrier has transported more than 93,000 tonnes of perishables and more than 20,000 tonnes of pharmaceuticals. The carrier has also transported more than 3000 tonnes of medical supplies for combating Covid-19 across the world.
