Dubai’s Emirates dedicates over 50 flights to Lebanon to deliver relief support

Dubai-based carrier Emirates has dedicated over 50 flights to provide critical emergency relief and aid to people in the aftermath of the Beirut blast that ripped through the city.

Emirates SkyCargo also plans to ramp up its freighter operations to Lebanon to deliver much-needed support to the country.

Emirates is also providing people around the world the opportunity to donate cash or pledge their Skywards Miles, through a dedicated portal via the Emirates Airline Foundation.

For the next three months of donations, the Emirates Airline Foundation will in turn directly coordinate shipments of urgent food, medical supplies and items with a range of NGO partners to ensure donations directly help those affected. Work is underway to mobilise recognised humanitarian partners.

For every donation, cargo capacity will be provided for humanitarian organisations to transport critical medical equipment and supplies, food and other emergency relief goods directly to Beirut through Emirates SkyCargo.

Additionally, Emirates SkyCargo will provide a 20 per cent reduction on air freight transportation charges for approved shipments.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: “Today, the world is banding together to stand in solidarity with Lebanon, providing urgent relief and immediate recovery support to those affected by this tragic disaster. Emirates supports the UAE’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to support Lebanon and is committed to bolster its global emergency response to ensure that it can support organisations which provide urgent care, shelter, food and medical support to the Lebanese people.”

Emirates has already been supporting disaster relief efforts in Lebanon through the dispatch of several charter flights carrying food, clothing and medical supplies donated by various organisations in the UAE. Through the Emirates Airline Foundation, the airline supports over 30 humanitarian and philanthropic projects in 16 countries.

Emirates commenced operations to Lebanon in 1991, starting its flights between Dubai and Beirut thrice a week.