Amid the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Emirates SkyCargo is marking the first anniversary of loading emergency Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical supplies and other related necessary cargo on the seats and inside the overhead bins of its Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft.

The freight division of Emirates modified its operating model in response to the urgent global demand for PPE and other medical supplies during the first COVID-19 wave in countries across the world.

Adjusting its operating model, Emirates loaded select medical goods in its aircraft cabin on passenger seats and overhead bins in order to make additional space for urgent cargo supplies on its flights.

In the past one year, the air cargo carrier has operated over 3,100 flights with essential goods on its seats and in overhead bins. It has transported more than 11,000 tonnes of vital cargo to countries in need. Even after a year, Emirates SkyCargo continues to make efforts to meet the significant demand for transporting PPE and other cargo inside its aircraft cabin.

As part its operations, Emirates SkyCargo conducted a rapid safety risk assessment and developed a set of processes and procedures for both the Dubai team and ground handling partners across its network outstations to ensure safe loading of cargo on seats and in overhead bins in passenger aircraft. Emirates SkyCargo ensured the most efficient and potentially safe way to load and secure cargo in passenger cabins.

In addition, the team developed a smart calculator application to allow global teams to calculate optimal loading capacity inside aircraft cabin. The specially-designed procedures also helped in understanding the maximum weight and dimensions of individual packages. It also provided details related to the types of cargo that could be allowed inside the cabin as well as additional safety instructions. For instances, all perishable cargo packaging to be loaded on seats and bins required to be equipped with an adequate internal absorbent layer.

Furthermore, the Dubai-based Cargo airline also introduced special covers for passenger seats in its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with the aim of preventing any accidental damage to the flight's interiors, such as the personal entertainment screens.

PPE and related medical supplies are among the most common cargo loaded and transported on seats and inside the bins in aircraft. Essentially, the nature these products helps in smaller individual box packaging which facilitates easier loading and handling on the aircraft. Besides these, other general cargo such as dry food, clothing, dental supplies and sporting goods have also been previously transported on aircraft's seats.

Emirates SkyCargo continues to provide its services as a crucial global connector of emergency good and supplies during the ongoing battle against the pandemic. It has facilitated rapid and flexible approach and worked closely with its customers. Currently, the cargo carrier is connecting more than 135 cities across six continents with its weekly cargo flights of urgently-needed supplies.

WAM