Emirates SkyCargo supports Sri Lankan exporters’ supply chain
Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has helped Sri Lankan exporters despatch nearly 100 tonnes of local produce to markets in Europe, the Middle East and Asia over the past two weeks, keeping supply chains and revenue flows open despite the suspension of scheduled passenger flights from Colombo.
The cargo airline deployed two Boeing 777-300 passenger aircraft operating as freighters to support exporters of perishables achieve speed to market and deliver products in pristine condition.
The cargo transported by Emirates SkyCargo on 15th and 27th April comprised principally of fish, fruit, vegetables and betel leaves to markets such as Zurich, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Brussels, Dubai, Karachi and Lahore.
“Our commitment to Sri Lanka is undiminished. We are working hard to mitigate, as much as possible, the debilitating effects on Sri Lankan exporters of the disruption of markets and transport logistics due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kapila Santhapriya, Emirates’ Cargo Manager Sri Lanka & Maldives. “In good times, Emirates SkyCargo transports more than 20 per cent of all the goods Sri Lanka exports by air. We will continue to operate passenger freighters in keeping with the demand from exporters.”
An important facilitator of international trade, Emirates SkyCargo is currently operating scheduled cargo flights as well as charters using its Boeing 777-F freighters and Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to close to 60 global destinations. The air cargo carrier has helped transport vital medical supplies to different parts of the world including to Australia on both its scheduled flights as well as on special charter flights.
Air cargo remains the fastest means of connecting essential supplies to those that need them and the expanded SkyCargo network allows for increased connectivity across different global origins and destinations. Emirates SkyCargo has transported more than 20,000 tonnes of pharmaceuticals and more than 93,000 tonnes of perishables on its flights since January.
Emirates commenced flights to Colombo, its fourth overseas destination, on 1st April 1986. Before its temporary suspension of passenger flights in response to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emirates operated four flights a day to and from Colombo, connecting Sri Lanka to a global network of 159 destinations on six continents.