Emirates SkyCargo creates emergency air bridge to deliver aid in Beirut

Emirates SkyCargo has created an air bridge between Dubai and Lebanon to enable it to provide rapid humanitarian relief, on 50 dedicated flights, following the deadly blast in Beirut.

Emirates has already been supporting disaster relief efforts in Lebanon through the dispatch of several charter flights carrying food, clothing and medical supplies donated by various grassroots organisations in the UAE.

In addition, the Emirates Airline Foundation has partnered with non-governmental organisations to coordinate urgent food and medical shipments in a “swift and transparent manner”.

“Emirates is standing with Lebanon to provide critical emergency relief and aid to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the blasts,” the company said in a statement.

The carrier is also enabling people around the world to donate cash or Skywards Miles, which can then be converted to cargo capacity for the transportation of critical aid to Beirut.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline Group, said: “Emirates supports the UAE’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to support Lebanon and is committed to bolstering its global emergency response to ensure that it can support organisations that provide urgent care, shelter, food and medical support to the Lebanese people”.

Emirates commenced operations between Dubai and Beirut in 1991. The carrier operated a three-times-weekly service utilising a Boeing 727. Today, Emirates operates two daily flights to Beirut utilising Boeing 777s.