Emirates SkyCargo announced that it has become the first airline cargo carrier in the world to have transported more than 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines on its flights.

In a statement, it said that it has also transported more than 100 tonnes of syringes across the world to support the delivery of vaccines.

"Since the start of international distribution late last year, Emirates SkyCargo has transported over 220 tonnes of COVID-19 vaccines, equivalent to more than 50 million doses, on more than 150 flights from manufacturing locations to 50 destinations on its network through Dubai," the cargo said.

Overall, Emirates SkyCargo has transported six different kinds of COVD-19 vaccines.

"Emirates SkyCargo is proud to have reached the 50 million COVID-19 vaccine delivery milestone just ahead of World Health Day," said Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional senior vice president, Cargo.

Emirates SkyCargo noted that it has remained agile and dynamic throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, responding quickly to maintain international connectivity for essential goods across the world.

It noted that it was one of the first in the world to deploy passenger aircraft for cargo-only flights in order to transport PPE, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and food.

Over one year, Emirates SkyCargo had operated more than 27,800 flights and transported over 100,000 tonnes of essential commodities.

As early as October 2020, Emirates SkyCargo also already set up an EU GDP certified dedicated airside hub for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at its hub in Dubai.

"Emirates SkyCargo positioned itself to fly in large quantities of COVID-19 vaccines from manufacturing locations, store the vaccines in Dubai and then regularly replenish vaccine supplies to developing nations with limited cold chain infrastructure through its cargo flights," it said.

In January 2021, Emirates SkyCargo partnered with Dubai-based entities, DP World, International Humanitarian City and Dubai Airports to form the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance to position Dubai as a major global distribution hub for COVID-19 vaccines and in February 2021, Emirates SkyCargo said it signed an MoU with UNICEF to prioritise transportation of COVID-19 vaccines in support of the COVAX facility which is aimed at the equitable global distribution of vaccines.