Cargo flight at Dubai airport.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Emirates is facilitating an increase in the number of cargo flights to boost the volume of perishables and pharmaceuticals in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

More than 33,000 tonnes of perishables and 1,700 tonnes of pharmaceuticals brought into UAE since January.

Food items are brought in from several markets including Australia, India, Kenya and Pakistan.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates, said: "We have particularly ramped up operations for transporting cargo in the belly hold of our passenger aircraft in the last two weeks. Emirates SkyCargo has been expanding its network on a daily basis and some of the latest destinations for our cargo flights on passenger aircraft include Bangkok, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Singapore and Taipei. 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."

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"With our expanded network now covering more than 50 global destinations, we are able to ensure a constant supply of food and medicines from across the world into the UAE. 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 combatting Covid-19 across the world.

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.

Over seven tonnes of medical supplies transported to Los Angeles.

Close to 1 million Covid-19 testing kits to be transported to Sao Paulo on 9 April. An earlier shipment containing 500,000 kits was transported.

Both at Hub Dubai and across the world, Emirates SkyCargo's staff have been working hard to ensure the safe and efficient transport of cargo despite challenging conditions.

"Under these unprecedented conditions, our staff are fully committed to making sure that that medicines, medical equipment, food and other necessary commodities for people and businesses around the world are being transported without any compromise of the high service levels that differentiate Emirates SkyCargo from other players in the market. We are truly grateful to the non-stop efforts of our team that contribute to our successful operations," added Sultan.