Would you ever guess that vaccines, bulk drugs, liquid syrups, insulin, and bio-technological products are some of the many goods eagerly awaiting the arrival of Emirates’ inaugural flight EK 538 from Dubai to Ahmedabad – the capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat?
Emirates six-flights-a-week service to Ahmedabad, effective 29th October, heralds the introduction of Emirates SkyCargo’s Cool Chain Solutions to the state’s pharmaceutical industry.
From Ahmedabad, Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of the Dubai-based airline will offer over 110 tonnes of capacity per week per direction, together with its specially-designed temperature-controlled air cargo containers that maintain stable interior temperatures throughout the journey. Featuring active temperature control systems that range from -20C to +20C, Emirates SkyCargo’s containers keep product temperature stable despite fluctuations in ambient temperatures.
Home to over 3000 pharmaceutical industrial units, and investing over USD 1.6 billion in the industry, Gujarat contributes 28 percent to the production and export basket of India’s drug sector.
As a result of a global network spanning 94 gateways in 60 countries and a seamless transportation chain using the latest technologies in air cargo containers, life-saving medicines from Ahmedabad will make their way to pharmacies in the Middle East, Europe, United States of America, Far East, and Africa.
During this long journey, the cool chain has to be maintained. To ensure this, the award-winning cargo division will use a combination of temperature-controlled containers, Cool Dollies and warehouses at its Dubai hub so that the cargo arrives in the same condition it took off.
Peter Sedgley, Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo Commercial Operations said: “As global focus on medical services increases, it becomes crucial that innovative life saving drugs reach needy patients in time and in perfect condition. Our Cool Chain Solutions counter hostile temperatures to preserve the efficiency of medicines. Temperature-controlled containers can also be used to transport fruits and vegetables from Ahmedabad to local supermarkets around the world and throughout the year.”
Furthermore, Gujarat is the largest supplier of denim in Asia, a benefit it has reaped after setting up apparel parks in Surat and Ahmedabad, and textile parks in Palsana, Udhna, Navapura, Mangrol, and Kheda. Supported by a growing international network and having invested in the latest information technology, finest ground handling equipment, most advanced aircraft, and highly-qualified staff, Emirates SkyCargo can promise an efficient service that takes the state’s textiles products to new global markets.
Emirates SkyCargo will also move intricate, ethnic and contemporary gold ornaments from Ahmedabad to jewellery buyers in North America, South Africa, and the world-famous Gold Souq in Dubai.
Gujarat State Export Corporation Ltd. estimates that Ahmedabad presently utilises a cargo capacity of 1,100 tonnes to support its exports.