Emirates SkyCargo has played a crucial role in the distribution of six different Covid-19 vaccines from manufacturing locations to more than 80 destinations around the world, particularly to developing countries. The freight division of Emirates has now passed another milestone in the effort, having flown more than 3,500 packages of vaccines, weighing a total of more than 600 tonnes, through its Dubai hub – equivalent to 150 million doses.
The air cargo carrier can handle temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, including vaccines, with a dedicated GDP certified infrastructure at its Dubai hub for handling pharmaceuticals. In January 2020, Emirates SkyCargo joined forces with DP World, International Humanitarian City and Dubai Airports to form the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance, with the aim of providing rapid transportation of Covid-19 vaccines through Dubai to developing countries. This deal was then followed in February 2020 with an MoU with UNICEF, to expedite the transportation of Covid-19 vaccines under the COVAX initiative.