Emirates SkyCargo’s $200M Investment in Pharmaceutical Cargo Enhancements

Emirates SkyCargo, a subsidiary of Emirates Group, has allocated $200 million to upgrade its equipment and facilities to ensure the seamless handling and delivery of pharmaceutical cargo, avoiding any disruptions or damages.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, announced this investment during the Air Cargo and Transport Logistics Africa conference, where more than 4,000 aviation stakeholders from 150 countries gathered to discuss industry advancements.

At the conference in Nairobi, Kenya, Abbas emphasized the critical nature of pharmaceutical cargo due to its impact on human health. He assured that the airline prioritizes such cargo, ensuring it reaches its destination as received.

Abbas highlighted that Emirates has invested in a 15,000 square meter GDP-certified facility in Dubai, which he described as the world’s largest and most advanced facility of its kind.

Emirates transports two million kilograms of pharmaceutical cargo weekly, showcasing the airline’s leadership in this sector. Abbas stressed, “Pharmaceuticals are lifesaving shipments, and we have invested around $200 million to ensure they are handled with utmost care.”

The state-of-the-art facility in Dubai includes temperature-controlled storage, cool dollies, and custom innovations like water-resistant covers. “At Emirates SkyCargo, we are a proud market leader, transporting over two million kilograms of pharmaceutical cargo every week,” Abbas added.

Abbas also mentioned that Emirates’ network of 44 Pharma corridors connects the world with consistently high cold chain standards, ensuring lifesaving treatments are delivered reliably and efficiently. Four of these Pharma corridors are in Africa, including one in Kenya.

Julian Sutch, the global head of the airline’s pharmaceuticals cargo, recalled the COVID-19 pandemic era, noting that Emirates was the largest transporter of vaccines worldwide, with a special focus on African nations. Sutch emphasized that the airline had prepared facilities and equipment ahead of the pandemic to facilitate the movement and preservation of pharmaceutical cargo, reiterating the airline’s commitment to prioritizing such cargo for immediate airlifting.