Emirates’ ‘Aircrafted KIDS’ Arrives in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia
Emirates shares 1,300 upcycled backpacks with children across Africa
Emirates has partnered with six African organisations to donate over 1,300 handmade schoolbags and stationery to children.
These limited-edition bags, the airline says, are from the Emirates Aircrafted range, created from repurposed materials (fabrics and parts) from its aircraft.
This African distribution launches a wider Emirates initiative to upcycle materials for children globally.
Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, Emirates collaborated with St Marcellin’s Children’s Village Trust and Rose of Sharon. In Zambia, the partners are the Kucetekela Foundation and the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Zambia. In Ethiopia, Emirates is working with Bravehearts Ethiopia and Roots Ethiopia.
Emirates states this initiative extends its ongoing support of children’s welfare programmes through the Emirates Airline Foundation.
The airline’s Country Managers and their teams in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Ethiopia visited each organisation, assisting with bag packing and distribution. The bags also include stationery, calculators, and books by local authors.
The next stops on the Aircrafted Kids schoolbags trail are India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, “with several more to follow,” announced Emirates.
Emirates’ Aircrafted Kids Schoolbag Creation
Emirates reports it is repurposing over 50,000 kilograms of materials from 205 aircraft undergoing cabin refits.
Emirates Engineering developed a range of backpacks using the durable, non-flammable seat fabric from Emirates Economy Class seats.
“The high-quality seat fabric of Emirates Economy Class seats is 95% wool and 5% nylon, a flat weave structure sourced from Germany and Ireland, which is ideal for upcycling due to its durability and non-flammable nature,” Emirates states.
Emirates SkyCargo and dnata Logistics are supporting the transport and logistics.
Aircrafted by Emirates Limited Edition Luggage
Emirates notes that fans can support this initiative by purchasing limited edition luggage in the coming months.
A second phase of the Aircrafted by Emirates retail collection will be launched, “proceeds after costs are donated to Emirates Airline Foundation supporting humanitarian projects around the world.”
