The Ministry of Health in Maldives ordered approximately 41 tonnes of cargo, consisting of MRI, CT scan machines and other health equipment, for distribution to four different hospitals across the chain of islands and atolls that make up the nation.
For the operation, Agility airlifted the cargo into Dubai from various locations in the US, China, France, Japan and India. The seamless movement of more than 287 pieces from five countries into Dubai was a challenge, especially when availability of flights and space became limited because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Working with Chapman Freeborn, Agility chartered a B747 freighter from Al Maktoum International airport in Dubai. Using B747 aircraft provided significant cost savings when compared with alternatives such as the Antonov An124 or the smaller Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which would have required three separate flights.