Emirates Introduces Amenity Kits Featuring Endangered Species to Raise Awareness and Combat Wildlife Trafficking
Emirates has introduced a novel offering for its Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers on long-haul flights worldwide – complimentary amenity kits designed in collaboration with United for Wildlife. These kits aim to spotlight eight of the planet’s most endangered species.
Wildlife preservation and habitat protection are integral components of Emirates’ Environmental Sustainability Framework. The new range of amenity kits serves as a testament to Emirates’ enduring partnership with United for Wildlife and its commitment to raising awareness about endangered species and combatting the illegal trade of wildlife and its products.
The animals showcased on the kit pouches and bookmarks include the green sea turtle, African elephant, blue macaw, gorilla, hammerhead shark, lion, pangolin, and the black rhino.
United for Wildlife has provided sobering statistics underscoring the severity of the issue. For example, an astounding 100 elephants are poached every day worldwide, potentially leading to the extinction of wild elephants by 2025 at current poaching rates.
In contrast to the 500,000 rhinos that existed at the dawn of the 20th century, there are now a mere 27,431 Rhinos left in the wild. Meanwhile, pangolins are the most trafficked mammals globally.
David Fein, Co-Chair of United for Wildlife, remarked, “The illegal wildlife trade represents international organized crime that is rapidly driving iconic species around the world towards extinction. Airlines and other transportation providers play a pivotal role in disrupting traffickers’ supply chains.
Emirates has consistently shown leadership and commitment in addressing this global menace. We are pleased to see the new amenity kits from Emirates now onboard and hope that passengers find them informative and inspiring.”
Emirates is deeply engaged in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and exploitation and is an active member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. The airline maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward the illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife products. Emirates SkyCargo, its freight division, has enforced a comprehensive ban on transporting hunting trophies of elephants, rhinoceroses, lions, and tigers.
In June 2023, Emirates reaffirmed its dedication to environmentally responsible practices by attaining IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications.
The new Emirates wildlife amenity kit pouches are not only reusable but also eco-friendly, crafted from washable kraft paper with custom artwork of the endangered animals printed using non-toxic soy-based ink.
The kits contain a selection of durable travel essentials made from materials designed to reduce the consumption of virgin plastic. For instance, the toothbrush is crafted from a blend of wheat straw and plastic, while the socks and eyeshades are made from recycled plastic, specifically rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). Responding to customer requests, Emirates will reintroduce earplugs into the amenity kits at the end of the year.
