Emirates SkyCargo supports Sri Lankan relief effort

Emirates SkyCargo has begun assisting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with the transport of humanitarian relief for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka.

An Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 747-400F on charter to the UNHCR landed at Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday (Monday April 27), with a cargo of 119 tonnes of tents for people who have crossed into government controlled areas to escape the ongoing conflict in the north east of the island. It was the first aircraft carrying relief supplies to arrive in the country.

The airline diverted two freighters within 24hours to help the relief effort

A second Emirates freighter – and the airline’s newest freighter – a Boeing 777F carrying another 100 tonnes of relief goods, mostly tents, was scheduled to arrive today. This flight will also mark the first Boeing 777F ever to operate to Sri Lanka.

Chandana de Silva, Emirates Area Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, said: “We are happy we were able to divert two dedicated freighter aircraft within 24 hours to serve the needs of the UNHCR. Emirates has served Sri Lanka for 23 years, and we are fully committed to support the country in whatever way possible.”

He said more freighters carrying humanitarian relief goods are expected to arrive in the weeks ahead.

The airline's 777F is the first of its kind to operate into Sri Lanka