Logistics industry aids Beirut after port explosion

[caption id="attachment_89129" align="alignright" width="450"] Emirates has supported humanitarian efforts in Lebanon with several charter flights carrying relief supplies donated by various grassroots organizations in the UAE. Photo courtesy of Emirates SkyCargo.[/caption] A Cargolux flight organized in partnership with FedEx yesterday was the latest relief effort organized and conducted by the airfreight industry to support Beirut, where an explosion at the port on Aug. 4 caused more than 200 deaths, thousands of injuries and an estimated 300,000 cases of homelessness, according to the United Nations . The Cargolux-FedEx shipment was a free-of-charge transport of medical relief materials totaling 62 tonnes of emergency supplies, according to a press release from Cargolux. The shipment departed FedEx’s Memphis (MEM) hub on Aug. 23 for Luxembourg (LUX) and continued to Beirut (BEY) on Aug. 24. Other airlines have also supported relief efforts to the country and continue scheduled flights to the city, which according to reports has resumed partial port operations. According to the latest tracking from Kuwait-based forwarder Agility Logistics, logistics capacity into Lebanon is still limited. It estimates that airfreight capacity is “significantly constrained” and says port operations are underway “but some depots are closed/restrictions in place.” Qatar Airways Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo, both on the Freight 50 list of the world’s largest air cargo operators at No. 2 and No. 5, respectively, have both undertaken humanitarian operations to support Beirut. Regarding current operations to Beirut, Qatar Airways told Air Cargo World as of Aug. 26 that it was operating two daily widebody passenger flights between Doha and BEY. Chief Officer Cargo Guillaume Halleux said the airline also has the option for ad-hoc passenger freighters and full freighter aircraft to meet any additional demand. In mid-August, Emirates SkyCargo launched an “airbridge” between Dubai and Lebanon, with more than 50 flights planned. Emirates said it would allow its customers to donate cash or frequent flier miles from its rewards program, Skywards Miles, with every donation supporting cargo capacity for humanitarian organizations to transport medical equipment and supplies, food and other relief goods. Emirates also promised to reduce its airfreight charges by 20% for approved shipments to Beirut. Qatar Airways has also launched a similar donation program for relief supplies, allowing airline employees, citizens and residents of Qatar to donate supplies for transportation free of charge from DOH to BEY. As of Aug. 26, Qatar Airways Cargo had already moved more than 300 tonnes of relief cargo to Beirut by freighter and passenger flights.

Logistics industry aids Beirut after port explosion

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