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Emirates launches airbridge to India for Covid-19 relief supplies

Emirates launches airbridge to India for Covid-19 relief supplies

The Dubai-based carrier will offer cargo capacity free of charge on flights to nine cities in India

Emirates Airline has set up a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India to help international NGOs deliver urgently needed relief supplies to help with the country’s current Covid-19 crisis.

The first shipment is a consignment of more than 12 tonnes of multi-purpose tents from the World Health Organization (WHO), sent to Delhi, and coordinated by the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in Dubai.

Emirates will offer available cargo capacity free of charge on all of its flights to nine cities in India, helping international NGOs deliver relief supplies where required.

Emirates chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “Emirates has a lot of experience in humanitarian relief efforts, and with 95 weekly flights to nine destinations in India, we will be offering regular and reliable widebody capacity for relief materials. The International Humanitarian City in Dubai is the largest crisis relief hub in the world and we will work closely with them to facilitate the movement of urgent medical supplies.”

International Humanitarian City CEO Giuseppe Saba added: “The creation of the humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India, facilitated by Emirates SkyCargo, Dubai’s International Humanitarian City (IHC) and UN agencies, to transport urgent medical and relief items, is another example of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s vision for the IHC, being brought to life. Last year over 1,292 shipments were dispatched from the IHC in Dubai, setting the standard for humanitarian response globally.”

Emirates helped transport thousands of tonnes of PPE and other medical supplies over the past year by introducing additional cargo capacity through its modified mini freighters with seats removed from Economy Class on Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to transport urgently required materials.

Emirates SkyCargo has also partnered with UNICEF and other entities in the emirate through the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance to transport Covid-19 vaccines to developing nations through Dubai.

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