Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic Emirates SkyCargo has added around 100 routes to maintain fresh produce supply lines and support growers across the globe.
On 2 October the airline’s first freighter flight took off from Guadalajara, Mexico containing several tonnes of Mexican avocados and other vegetables destined for supermarket shelves in Europe and the Middle East.
This is the latest step in Emirates’ recovery, it has now grown its network from around just 35 destinations on its freighter aircraft at the end of March to more than 130 destinations by early October on its freighter and passenger aircraft.
This network has helped growers across six continents export their produce. In Kenya, Emirates’ 10 weekly flights in October contain fresh fruits and vegetables such as green beans, pineapples, mangoes and avocados, all sent through Dubai to the Middle East and onwards to Europe.
In Australia and New Zealand it has supported fruit exports including grapes and watermelons while coconuts and jackfruit from Thailand, mangoes from India, sweet potatoes from Egypt, blueberries from the UK and tropical fruits from Vietnam have also been transported.
“As a socially responsible carrier, Emirates SkyCargo has ensured that adequate cargo capacity remains available on its widebody aircraft during the Covid-19 pandemic for the transport of urgent medical supplies as well as food items,” Emirates said in a release.
“By doing this, the air cargo carrier is able to help countries and supermarkets maintain their food supplies and at the same time help farmers reliant on food exports continue to make their livelihoods in these challenging times.”
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