Emirates SkyCargo marked a year since it started transporting cargo in the cabins of its planes.
In the past 12 months, more than 3,100 flights were used to carry more than 11,000 tonnes of goods, filling the equivalent of 800,000 aircraft seats.
The demand for vital cargo to be transported around the world in 2020 came to a crunch point when countries closed their borders and airlines stopped passenger flights.
Normally the hold of each passenger aircraft carries travellers’ luggage alongside commercial cargo.
As international travel ceased, the demand for vital kit such as personal protective equipment and other medical supplies became urgent, particularly during the first wave of the pandemic.
European countries including Italy and the UK ran short of PPE in April 2020.
Emirates SkyCargo quickly responded to the demand, and the freight division adjusted its operating model to load selected goods in the cabins of its Boeing 777-300ER planes.
In 10 aircraft, all the seats were removed from economy class.
In the others, once the hold was full, cargo was loaded on to seats and in overhead bins.
Emirates SkyCargo had to rapidly develop a set of procedures to ensure the operation was efficient, safe and secure.
It developed coverings to protect passenger seats and interiors, and a smart calculator application to help global teams work out the optimal loading capacity.
PPE and medical equipment can be transported in smaller boxes than many other items, meaning it is comparatively easy to handle in a confined space such as a plane cabin.
Other general cargo including garments and clothing, dry food, dental supplies and sporting goods were also transported on seats.
One year on, Emirates SkyCargo says there is significant demand for the in-cabin service among its connections, which include more than 135 cities.
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
Kandahar%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
Saturday results
Qatar beat Kuwait by 26 runs
Bahrain beat Maldives by six wickets
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by seven wickets
Monday fixtures
Maldives v Qatar
Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
Bahrain v UAE
* The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
