In yet another milestone, Emirates SkyCargo flew Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccines from Brussels to the UAE for the first time for the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The vaccine arrived at the Dubai International Airport (DXB) on December 22, 2020, at 22.15 local time from Brussels on Emirates flight EK 182.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, expressed proud in Emirates delivery of the first batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines into the UAE for the Dubai Health Authority.

He hailed the crucial role played by the UAE's healthcare ecosystem in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. He further thanked everyone who was a part of the national efforts against COVID-19 as they worked tirelessly over the past few months to protect the lives of thousands of vulnerable people against the disease.

"In recognition of their immense contribution to the wellbeing of everyone in the UAE, it has been our honour to transport these vaccines free of charge on our flight," Al Maktoum added.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo, also affirmed that the Emirates SkyCargo team is doing its part in Dubai government's efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He further hailed the effective management of Dubai’s visionary leadership in handling the pandemic that helped the city in retaining its position as a global logistical hub for connecting essential cargo amid the crisis including PPE, vaccines, food, medical supplies, and other essential items.

Nabil Sultan also noted that the Emirates SkyCargo has established the largest airside hub in the world, aimed at distributing COVID-19 vaccines, not just in Dubai, but various countries across the world. It will also include markets with limited cool chain infrastructure.

"By transporting COVID-19 vaccines across our extensive network, we look forward to helping people around the world get back on their feet after the devastating impact of the pandemic," he added.

As per reports, the vaccine containers were unloaded on priority from the aircraft upon their arrival at the Dubai airport. From there, vaccines were taken to Emirates SkyCargo’s dedicated pharma facility Emirates SkyPharma for delivery clearance.

Emirates SkyCargo has been transporting vaccines and other temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo for years now. With more than two decades of experience in transporting pharmaceuticals, the carrier has established its state-of-the-art EU GDP certified facilities for storage and effective-handling of pharma cargo in Dubai.

In addition, Emirates SkyCargo has also launched a global Pharma Corridors programme in association with ground handlers and local airports at a number of pharmaceutical destination stations for enhanced cool chain protection. As of now, Emirates pharma network covers more than 30 cities across the world, including Brussels.

Recently, Emirates SkyCargo established the world's largest dedicated airside storage and distribution hub for COVID-19 vaccines in Dubai which has the capacity to store an estimated of 10 million vaccine doses at the 2-8C temperature range at any one point of time.

Thanks to its state-of-the-art modern infrastructure, extensive network and advanced all wide-body aircraft fleet, Emirates SkyCargo has the potential to transport COVID-19 vaccines securely and rapidly from manufacturing destinations to several countries across six continents. Emirates SkyCargo has already started its flights to distribute COVID-19 vaccines from a wide range of manufacturers to countries across the world.

WAM