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UAE Air Lifts Fresh Food Amid Aviation Disruptions
Air Shipment Secures Fresh Food Supplies
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is stepping up its efforts to airlift fresh food supplies to its residents, countering aviation disruptions and geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Retailers are increasingly relying on dedicated cargo flights to maintain a steady flow of fruits and vegetables, despite the strain on regional air routes. On March 7, a freighter operated by Etihad Airways arrived in Abu Dhabi from India, carrying approximately 12,000 packages of fresh produce, totaling about 80,000 kilograms. This shipment is slated for distribution across supermarkets nationwide in the UAE.
Rerouted Flights and Diversified Supply Chains
This cargo consignment, organized by Lulu Group International, one of the UAE's largest retail chains, comes as several passenger flights have been suspended or rerouted. Such changes have reduced the cargo space typically used to transport fresh produce. For perishable goods, speed is paramount for quality preservation, prompting UAE retailers to utilize dedicated freighter aircraft to directly move food from global sourcing markets. This strategic shift aims to prevent supply disruptions, with additional cargo flights expected from global agricultural hubs like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Melbourne in the coming days.
*Source: YouTube: WION (2026-03-14)*
