- Cargo carrier marks 10 years since launch of specialised Pharma product, dedicated GDP certified cool chain infrastructure at its hub in Dubai
- Between 1.5 to 2 million kilograms of pharma transported every week on Emirates flights
Emirates SkyCargo is marking several major milestones in the transportation of time and temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals through Dubai.
The air cargo carrier is celebrating a decade of investment in world-class pharma logistics since September 2016 when it launched its specialised product for transportation of pharmaceuticals and unveiled its GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certified dedicated pharma handling hub in Dubai, ensuring the highest standards of quality and temperature-controlled handling. Since launching Pharma, Emirates SkyCargo has transported more than one million pharma shipments, equivalent to over 800,000 tonnes of pharma cargo, connecting pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers and patients across six continents.
The milestone underscores Emirates SkyCargo’s leading capabilities and strengths in pharma logistics as well as the emergence of Dubai as one of the prominent global hubs for rapid and seamless transport of temperature sensitive pharma. Today, Emirates SkyCargo’s Dubai hub boasts over 16,500 sq metres of GDP certified handling and storage area across DXB and DWC as well as a dedicated fleet of over 55 cool dollies for pharma cargo. Cool Dollies are mobile temperature-controlled containers that maintain shipment temperature during transfer from aircraft hold to terminal or vice versa or during Quick Ramp Transfers between two aircraft.
On average, Emirates SkyCargo transports between 1.5 and 2 million kilograms of pharmaceutical products every week on its flights.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Over the last decade, Emirates SkyCargo’s pharma product has become the gold standard for air transportation of pharmaceuticals. This has not happened by chance or by accident. It is the result of years of investing in our processes, our capabilities, our people and our infrastructure. It is also an outcome of working closely with pharma shippers, freight forwarders, airports, ground handlers, multi-modal transport providers and other parties in the cool-chain ecosystem to develop customised solutions that meet industry needs. We’re also constantly evolving our offerings to keep pace with the latest developments. We ultimately have only one goal, and that is to make sure that we transport these lifesaving medicines and treatments in the best possible conditions as they directly touch the lives of people around the world.”
Connecting global pharma markets through Dubai
Emirates SkyCargo facilitates the movement of pharmaceutical products across global markets, connecting major life sciences manufacturing hubs with healthcare providers around the world. Some of the largest pharma origin markets for Emirates SkyCargo include India, Germany, Belgium, UK, USA and Switzerland. Leveraging its extensive global network, high-frequency wide body flight capacity and purpose-built pharma infrastructure in Dubai, Emirates SkyCargo provides seamless connectivity to pharmaceutical cargo.
A decade of innovation in pharma logistics
The launch of Emirates Pharma in 2016 marked a major milestone in Emirates SkyCargo’s strategy to develop specialised cargo solutions for different verticals. Supporting Emirates SkyCargo’s pharma solution, the carrier inaugurated its dedicated GDP-certified pharmaceutical handling facilities in Dubai, creating a purpose-built environment for the storage, handling and transportation of temperature-sensitive medicines.
Over the following decade, Emirates SkyCargo continued to invest in specialised infrastructure, equipment and services to support the evolving needs of pharmaceutical shippers and healthcare providers. Key milestones include:
- 2017: Initiating key partnerships with specialised container manufacturers for transporting pharmaceuticals onboard with very specific temperature requirements.
- 2018: Launch of Emirates Pharma Corridors, connecting high volume pharma hubs. Emirates SkyCargo partnered with local airports and local ground handling partners to safeguard product integrity from journey to destination.
- 2020-2022: During the pandemic, Emirates SkyCargo played a pivotal role in global healthcare logistics including setting up a dedicated GDP certified hub for vaccine transport and flying more than one billion doses of vaccines.
- 2023: With pharma supply chains becoming increasingly sophisticated, Emirates SkyCargo expanded its offering in 2023 with the launch of Emirates Vital and Emirates Medical Devices, providing specialised solutions for the transportation of critical healthcare shipments including human organs, tissues, cell and gene therapies, clinical trial materials and medical equipment.
- 2025: Emirates SkyCargo’s pharmaceutical network grew to 43 pharma stations worldwide. In addition, Emirates SkyCargo also established dedicated 2-8°C temperature corridors across select pharma hubs supported by specialised handling processes and agreed standards.
Emirates SkyCargo has also pioneered the development and deployment of thermal protection solutions including thermal blankets for pharma shipments in order to provide end to end protection for pharma cargo. Emirates SkyCargo is the only global air cargo carrier to deploy thermal blankets for all pharma shipments without exception. In 2026, the cargo carrier has also expanded its pool of suppliers for thermal blankets improving availability across key markets, reducing transportation costs and enabling faster lead times for customers worldwide.
As Emirates SkyCargo’s pharma product enters its second decade, the carrier remains committed to continuously investing in specialised healthcare logistics capabilities, developing new solutions for emerging healthcare segments and working closely with partners around the world to strengthen global pharma supply chains. As the industry evolves beyond traditional pharmaceuticals towards increasingly specialised treatments, including cell and gene therapies, biologics and precision medicines, Emirates SkyCargo continues to innovate its infrastructure, processes and product portfolio to meet changing customer needs. Through ongoing innovation, strategic collaboration and continued investment in infrastructure and technology, Emirates SkyCargo will support the seamless global movement of pharmaceuticals while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for the transport of advanced healthcare products.
