Emirates–Dubai Humanitarian Airbridge Aids Sri Lanka

Emirates Airline, in partnership with Dubai Humanitarian, has established a dedicated humanitarian airbridge to Sri Lanka to support communities severely impacted by Cyclone Ditwah. The initiative aims to rapidly deliver life-saving relief supplies to those affected by widespread flooding and displacement across the country.

Over the next two weeks, Emirates will provide more than 100 tonnes of cargo capacity free of charge on its daily passenger flights to Sri Lanka. This capacity will enable Dubai Humanitarian and its network of humanitarian partners to transport critical emergency supplies via Colombo, ensuring timely assistance reaches affected regions.

The first consignments departed Dubai International Airport on Tuesday, 9 December, onboard three non-stop Emirates flights operating between Dubai and Colombo. These initial shipments included fortified biscuits supplied by the World Food Programme (WFP), food aid and essential relief items provided by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, as well as tarpaulins and emergency supplies from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, all relief cargo will be channelled through a government-established disaster management unit. From there, the aid will be distributed to communities most affected by the severe flooding, providing vital support to hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced or left vulnerable by the cyclone.

Commenting on the initiative, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, said that Emirates maintains a strong and enduring connection with Sri Lanka. He emphasized that, in close coordination with Dubai Humanitarian, the airline is leveraging its global infrastructure and operational capabilities to ensure a steady and reliable flow of essential relief supplies. By dedicating bellyhold cargo capacity on daily flights, Emirates aims to provide consistent logistical support during this critical period.

His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of Dubai Humanitarian, expressed gratitude to Emirates for its continued commitment and support. He highlighted that the activation of the airbridge reflects the strength of their long-standing partnership and underscores Dubai’s role as a global centre for humanitarian action. With more than 80 humanitarian organisations and companies operating within Dubai Humanitarian, such collaborations are essential to delivering aid swiftly, efficiently, and sustainably to communities in need.

As the world’s largest humanitarian hub, Dubai Humanitarian plays a central role in coordinating and streamlining international relief efforts. Through its strategic partnership with Emirates, established in 2020, the organisation has been able to respond rapidly to emergencies worldwide, collectively transporting hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian aid to areas affected by natural disasters and crises.

This collaboration builds on a proven track record of joint humanitarian responses. In 2023, following the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Emirates SkyCargo allocated significant cargo capacity to transport hundreds of tonnes of relief supplies to Istanbul. Similarly, during the catastrophic floods in Pakistan, Emirates established a large-scale airbridge, donating cargo space across all passenger flights to Pakistan and delivering critical equipment, food, and emergency aid to Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Sialkot.

Through the Sri Lanka airbridge, Emirates and Dubai Humanitarian once again demonstrate how strategic partnerships and aviation logistics can play a vital role in strengthening global emergency response and supporting the resilience of communities affected by natural disasters.