Emirates SkyCargo has handled more than one million time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments through Dubai — equivalent to over 800,000 tonnes of cargo — and on the 10th anniversary of the carrier's pharma product, the operation now moves 1.5 to 2 million kilograms of pharmaceutical products each week.

What is the scale of the operation?

The Emirates SkyCargo hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) covers more than 16,500 square metres of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)-certified handling and storage.

The carrier's cool-chain infrastructure includes a dedicated fleet of more than 55 Cool Dollies — mobile temperature-controlled containers used during transfers from aircraft hold to terminal and for quick-ramp transshipments between aircraft.

Emirates launched its pharma product in 2014 and inaugurated the certified hub in 2016. The division says it was the first carrier to operate a GDP-certified multi-airport hub at that scale, and since the launch it has expanded the product to serve manufacturers, healthcare providers and patients across six continents.

Where do the shipments originate?

The carrier's largest pharma origin markets include:

• India
• Germany
• Belgium
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Switzerland

From those manufacturing hubs, Emirates SkyCargo connects producers with healthcare markets worldwide through its widebody network and Dubai's central position between East and West.

How does temperature control work?

Emirates SkyCargo has developed a series of thermal protection solutions, including thermal blankets. The carrier says it is the only global air cargo airline to deploy thermal blankets for every pharma shipment without exception.

In 2026, the carrier expanded its pool of blanket suppliers to improve availability across key markets, reduce transportation costs and shorten lead times for customers.

In 2018, Emirates built on that infrastructure with the launch of Emirates Pharma Corridors — partnerships with local airports and ground handlers designed to safeguard product integrity from origin to destination.

What does the executive say?

"Over the last decade, Emirates SkyCargo's pharma product has become the gold standard for air transportation of pharmaceuticals," Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice president at Emirates SkyCargo, said. "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."

He added: "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."

What comes next?

Continued investment in GDP-certified infrastructure, supplier diversification and corridor partnerships points to further capacity growth as pharmaceutical manufacturers consolidate distribution through a smaller number of large, regulated hubs. Emirates SkyCargo's bet that scale, certification and door-to-door thermal protection can capture that consolidation will be tested as rivals add certified capacity of their own.