Emirates Airlines is establishing an air bridge between Dubai and Lebanon and allocating 50 flights to transport relief materials
Emirates Airlines confirmed that it stood by Lebanon and provided emergency relief aid to hundreds of thousands of citizens affected by the massive explosion that struck Beirut port last week. Emirates Air Cargo, the cargo arm of the carrier, is planning to intensify cargo operations to Lebanon by allocating more than 50 flights to transport materials that are badly needed in these circumstances.
Emirates Airlines and Group Chief Executive Officer His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “The world stands today in solidarity with Lebanon, and states, organizations and individuals are initiating to provide urgent relief and help those affected by this tragic disaster. We support the ongoing humanitarian efforts of the United Arab Emirates to help Lebanon. And strengthening the global response and supporting organizations that provide care, shelter, food and medical supplies to the Lebanese people. People from all over the world have come to support Lebanon and provide assistance to those affected, and we, in turn, will facilitate the transportation of aid and strengthen relief and reconstruction efforts on the ground in these difficult circumstances.
Emirates Airlines provides the opportunity for people around the world to donate cash or Skywards Miles, through a dedicated, secure and easy portal through the "Emirates Airlines Foundation". From now on, for a period of three months, the Foundation will coordinate the shipment of foodstuffs, urgent medical supplies and other urgently needed items with a group of non-governmental organizations, to help those affected on the ground in a fast and transparent manner. Work is under way to identify approved partners for this humanitarian mission.
For every donation, the Emirates Airline Foundation will provide cargo capacity to humanitarian organizations to transport medical equipment, supplies and other emergency relief items directly to Beirut via Emirates SkyCargo. In addition, "Emirates SkyCargo" will contribute to a 20% reduction in fees on approved shipments, confirming its commitment to accelerate emergency relief efforts to Beirut.
Emirates Airlines continues to support the emergency relief efforts in Lebanon by sending several chartered flights carrying food, clothes and medical supplies that have been donated by various popular organizations in the United Arab Emirates.
Emirates Airlines is committed to serving the communities in which it operates, and through the Emirates Airline Foundation, it supports more than 30 humanitarian projects in 16 countries. In recent years, it has supported humanitarian flights, in partnership with the "Airbus Foundation". Since 2013, the Emirates A380 has transported more than 120 tons of food and vital emergency equipment to many affected areas around the world.
Emirates Airlines began serving Lebanon in 1991, operating three flights a week using a Boeing 727 aircraft. It now operates two flights daily to Beirut with Boeing 777s, with plans to add more in the future.