COVID-19 response: Emirates SkyCargo to set up the world’s largest GDP compliant air cargo hub in Dubai for global distribution of COVID-19 vaccine

 Emirates SkyCentral DWC in Dubai South to be operated as a dedicated
anchor hub for COVID-19 vaccine distribution
•       Air cargo carrier has also set up a dedicated rapid response team to
handle requests for vaccine transport

Emirates SkyCargo is stepping up its readiness to handle the
logistical complexities of distributing a potential COVID-19 vaccine
globally by creating the world’s first dedicated airside cargo hub for
the vaccine in Dubai. The air cargo carrier is taking a global
leadership position by announcing that it will be re-opening its
Emirates SkyCentral DWC cargo terminal in Dubai South to serve as a
dedicated anchor hub for cold chain storage and distribution of the
vaccine.

Watch a video about Emirates SkyCargo setting up the world’s largest GDP
compliant airside hub for COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

The freight division of Emirates has also set up a dedicated rapid
response team to coordinate requests from the various partners involved
in the international vaccine distribution ecosystem and to streamline
the carrier’s response to vaccine transportation requests.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Chairman and Chief
Executive said: “Dubai is well positioned to serve as a gateway and
distribution hub for COVID-19 vaccines to the rest of the world. We have
the infrastructure and logistics connections, and a geographic location
that puts markets representing more than two-thirds of the world’s
population within an 8-hour flying radius. Over the years, through our
continuous investment in capabilities and processes for the transport of
temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals, Emirates SkyCargo has managed to
position Dubai amongst major global pharmaceutical customers as the
year-round preferred point of transit for their valuable cargo. Setting
up a dedicated airside hub for COVID-19 vaccines is a keystone project
harnessing our network, reach and competencies to positively impact the
lives of people around the world.”

World’s first dedicated airside hub for COVID-19 vaccine

Emirates SkyCargo’s vaccine hub in Dubai South will be the largest
dedicated airside facility in the world for COVID-19 vaccines. The Dubai
hub will allow the air cargo carrier to fly in vaccines from
manufacturing sites globally, store and prepare shipments for regional
and global distribution.

Emirates SkyCentral DWC has over 4,000 square metres of temperature
controlled GDP certified dedicated pharma storage area allowing for
large scale storage and distribution of the potential COVID-19 vaccines.
Overall, it is estimated that the facility can hold around 10 million
vials of vaccine at a 2-8 degrees Celsius temperature range at any one
point of time.

The state of the art infrastructure at Emirates SkyCentral DWC is also
complemented by one of the world’s largest fleet of Cool Dollys helping
protect temperature sensitive cargo during transit between the aircraft
and cargo terminal. Additionally, the availability of a large number of
temperature controlled trucking docks and the proximity of the terminal
to the aircraft parking gates will ensure rapid and efficient clearance
of cargo for further distribution.

In addition to cold storage, Emirates SkyCargo will also offer dedicated
zones for value-added services such as re-icing and repackaging of
vaccines for global distribution for its customers.

The extensive size of the facility, which can potentially handle
millions of vaccine doses, along with the creation of a dedicated team
to handle and execute requests will allow Emirates SkyCargo to be able
to effectively handle the large volume of time critical requests for
cross-border vaccine movement that will follow the successful
introduction of a vaccine.

Through a combination of scheduled and charter flights, the cargo
carrier will then be able to fly the vaccines to markets where they will
be most needed.

Emirates’ pharma transportation capabilities

Emirates SkyCargo is harnessing decades of experience gained from
transporting temperature controlled pharmaceutical products and vaccines
for global manufacturers to develop innovative solutions that will meet
the challenge of distributing a potential COVID-19 vaccine globally
within a short timeframe.

Since 2016, the air cargo carrier has invested substantially in its
capabilities for the transportation of temperature sensitive
pharmaceuticals. This included the introduction of a specialised product
– Emirates Pharma – and the development of dedicated GDP certified ‘fit
for purpose’ infrastructure pharma both at Dubai as well as at major
origin and destination points under its pharma corridors programme that
currently covers more than 30 cities. Emirates SkyCargo has moved more
than a quarter million tonnes of pharmaceutical cargo in the last four
years.

With its fleet of modern and efficient all wide-body aircraft and a
network that currently spans more than 130 destinations across six
continents, combined with the strategic geographic location of its Dubai
hub, Emirates SkyCargo will be able to rapidly move vaccine shipments
from manufacturing sites to the vaccine hub and then onwards to the rest
of the world on a combination of scheduled and passenger flights.

Over the last few months, however, Emirates SkyCargo has worked on
restoring its worldwide network and cargo connectivity with flight
services restored to 75 destinations by May, 100 by July and nearly 135
destinations by early October. Emirates SkyCargo’s network covers all
major pharmaceutical clusters and manufacturing locations, facilitating
the eventual transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine once manufacturing
commences.