Emirates SkyCargo has moved more than one million time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments through its Dubai hub, equating to over 800,000 tonnes of pharma cargo since the product's launch a decade ago.

The carrier now shifts between 1.5 and 2 million kilograms of pharmaceutical products every week across its network, serving what is the largest GDP-certified multi-airport hub operated by a single air cargo carrier.

What does the one-million milestone represent?

The figure marks ten years of Emirates SkyCargo's dedicated Pharma product, inaugurated in 2016 across the Emirates SkyCentral terminals at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

The Dubai hub spans more than 16,500 square metres of GDP-certified handling and storage area, supported by a dedicated fleet of over 55 cool dollies — mobile temperature-controlled containers that protect shipments during transfer between aircraft hold and terminal.

The carrier connects pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers across six continents, with the largest origin markets including India, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States and Switzerland.

How has the cool chain evolved?

Emirates SkyCargo pioneered the deployment of thermal blankets for pharmaceutical shipments, and remains the only global air cargo carrier to apply them universally across its pharma volumes. The supplier base for those blankets expanded in 2026, improving availability in key markets, lowering transport costs and shortening lead times for forwarders and shippers.

In 2018, the carrier added Emirates Pharma Corridors — partnerships with airports and ground handlers designed to safeguard product integrity from origin to destination on high-volume lanes.

What does the milestone mean commercially?

For pharma manufacturers and freight forwarders, the scale signals reliable capacity on time-critical lanes out of Europe, South Asia and North America. Emirates SkyCargo's widebody frequency and purpose-built Dubai infrastructure reduce temperature-excursion risk for high-value biologics, vaccines and insulin consignments.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, framed the ten-year track record as a deliberate investment rather than market position.

"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," Abbas said.

"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."

What is the next phase for Dubai pharma capacity?

The carrier has signalled continued investment in supplier diversification and corridor expansion. Abbas said the team is "constantly evolving our offerings to keep pace with the latest developments," with the goal of transporting lifesaving medicines in the best possible conditions.

With weekly pharma throughput already running at 1.5–2 million kilograms and supplier networks broadening in 2026, Emirates SkyCargo looks set to extend its Dubai position as global biopharma volumes grow on transatlantic and Asia–Europe lanes.

Key facts

• 1,000,000+ pharma shipments through Dubai since 2016
• 800,000+ tonnes of pharma cargo moved in total
• 1.5–2 million kg transported weekly
• 16,500 sq m of GDP-certified handling and storage
• 55+ dedicated cool dollies in the fleet