Within its cool chain and pharmaceutical operations, there have been two key aspects to Emirates SkyCargo’s development. One is its internal growth, particularly within its hub in Dubai, where the company established a pharmaceutical hub there in 2016, pre-built and designed to support its operations.
“Today, Emirates SkyCargo has facilities in both Dubai and DWC, seamlessly connected through its trucking network. This integration allows for the efficient linking of freighters with passenger flights—an infrastructure built with future growth in mind,” Julian Sutch, Emirates SkyCargo’s Head of Cool Chain, explained.
“When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Emirates SkyCargo had to adapt quickly. The company moved its freighters to Dubai and rapidly expanded its capacity to meet the surging demand. Now, with operations stabilising, the freighters have returned to Dubai World Central (DWC), and the company is executing a long-term strategy for the coming years.”
Beyond the Dubai hub, Emirates SkyCargo’s focus is now on expanding its global network, actively working with its team on the Al Maktoum International Airport project, which will significantly enhance its capabilities.
“Currently, we handle up to two to two and a half million kilogrammes of pharmaceuticals each week, and between six to seven million kilogrammes of perishables,” Sutch highlighted. “While the volume of perishables is significantly higher, the demand for these products, especially food, is incredibly high. Priority is key: pharmaceuticals take precedence due to their life-critical nature, but perishables are still a huge part of our business.”
Within the cool chain, the key to ensuring product integrity is conducting a lane risk assessment. This process involves evaluating the entire transportation route—from the point of origin, such as London, through transit hubs to the final destination.
As some destinations may lack the necessary infrastructure to support certain types of temperature-sensitive shipments, it’s crucial to identify potential risks and find solutions in advance to mitigate potential risks, working with partners and suppliers to provide the right equipment.
From the moment a product leaves the manufacturing site to when it reaches the patient, every potential challenge must be accounted for. Some destinations may not have access to dry ice, which eliminates certain types of containers. Others may lack the ability to plug in and recharge temperature-controlled units, further limiting container options.
Hybrid systems now exist that require neither dry ice nor electricity, making them ideal for independent cold-chain management in challenging environments. If a destination has limited capabilities, Emirates SkyCargo recommends the most suitable packaging solution to ensure the product remains protected until it is cleared.
Customs clearance is often a critical factor—some countries allow for pre-clearance, while others do not, which can lead to delays. The right packaging can bridge this gap, maintaining the required temperature until the shipment is processed. Of course, if a shipment were to sit in customs for weeks, there are limits to what packaging alone can achieve, but the goal is to eliminate risks at every stage.
“While some routes may have challenges, patients need treatments everywhere in the world. The key question is: What is the best possible route to get the treatment to the patient efficiently and safely?” Sutch continued.
“To determine this, we consider multiple factors, including packaging type, trucking capabilities, and airport infrastructure. If an airport in a particular country presents challenges—whether due to capacity constraints or inadequate pharmaceutical handling facilities—we leverage our extensive network. As Emirates, we often fly to multiple airports within the same country, and when necessary, we recommend alternative routes to avoid bottlenecks.
“When operational constraints cannot be fully mitigated, packaging becomes the last line of defence. The right packaging must be selected to withstand potential delays or handling issues at the destination. Given our global reach, we transport various packaging solutions worldwide and continuously adapt based on our experience. Problems will always arise, but the key is how quickly we can identify and resolve them to ensure that treatments reach patients without disruption.”
Pharmaceutical shipments require the utmost precision, and Emirates SkyCargo serves over 140 destinations worldwide. To maintain high quality, the company ensures its partners have the necessary infrastructure, training, and compliance standards. When issuing Request for Quotations (RfQs) to various airports, Emirates SkyCargo assesses all handling providers, prioritising those with expertise in managing both pharmaceuticals and perishables. Only those that meet its stringent requirements are awarded contracts.
“We work closely with our forwarding partners and manufacturers directly. Since the manufacturers develop these new treatments, they are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their products reach patients safely and efficiently,” Sutch stated.
“To support these efforts, we designed a dedicated product tailored to their needs. For example, last year, we launched Emirates Vital, a service specifically designed for transporting individual patient treatments. Given the nature of these shipments, time is often more critical than temperature control, as the packaging itself ensures stability.”
To optimise speed, the carrier has implemented a specialised handling process in Dubai. When a shipment arrives, it is immediately transferred rather than going through the main Emirates SkyCargo facility. Dedicated cool vans are also on hand to transport treatments directly from one aircraft to another—bypassing the usual processing steps and allowing the carrier to maximise connection efficiency and minimise delays.
“Our extensive flight network enhances this service. For example, out of London, we operate seven flights a day. If a shipment misses one flight, it can easily be rebooked on the next within an hour. Similarly, connections through Dubai to destinations like Sydney, where we have three flights daily, ensure that critical treatments reach patients as quickly as possible,” Sutch outlined.
“We developed this product in close collaboration with forwarders and shippers to fully understand their needs. Just last week, I spoke with a customer about a shipment valued at half a million dollars—urgently needed by a patient. In situations like these, every minute counts, and with Emirates Vital, we were able to deliver the treatment as quickly as possible.”
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