Emirates SkyCargo said it helped export more than 4,000 tonnes of New Zealand produce and food items in 2020. The air cargo carrier was also instrumental in the transport of PPE and other essential commodities to the country through cargo-only flights.

"New Zealand has always been a world leader in food production and exports. During the pandemic year, when global supply chains were disrupted due to the suspension of passenger flights, Emirates SkyCargo provided much-needed air cargo connectivity through its cargo-only passenger freighter flights to Auckland and Christchurch to facilitate the export of food, produce and other commodities," Emirates added.

The cargo carrier noted that it restarted cargo flights to New Zealand in early May with its passenger freighter aircraft, working with the New Zealand government as part of its International Airfreight Capacity Scheme (IAFC) to connect exporters in New Zealand with their international customers.

Currently, Emirates SkyCargo offers cargo capacity on six flights a week from Auckland and one flight a week from Christchurch connecting New Zealand to other markets in the region as well as the rest of the world through Dubai.

Overall during the year 2020, Emirates SkyCargo helped export more than 8,000 tonnes of cargo from the country on over 650 flights to close to 200 global destinations. Food items and produce formed more than half of the total exports from New Zealand.

Some of the main food exports from New Zealand included meat, which formed close to half of the total food exports from New Zealand, seafood, fruits, berries, and dairy products.

The carrier also noted how it helped transport essential goods such as PPE and medical equipment into New Zealand and for the flow of food exports out of the country. Emirates

It said it helped move close to 850 tonnes of essential pharmaceutical goods from Europe and India during the year 2020, amounting to close to one-fifth of the total cargo imported into New Zealand on Emirates’ flights.

Emirates SkyCargo network has grown to reach more than 130 destinations. Currently, around 600 tonnes of food items are transported every day in the cargo hold of Emirates aircraft across the world.

"The growth of export markets over the last decade has also provided a boost to farming communities and agriculture in the various production markets," it said.