In a move towards environmental sustainability and wildlife conservation, Emirates has unveiled a new range of wildlife-themed amenity kits for its Premium Economy and Economy Class customers on long-haul flights.

• This move aligns with the airline’s commitment to meeting passenger expectations while maintaining environmentally responsible practices.
• In response to customer requests, Emirates is also reintroducing earplugs to the amenity kits by the end of the year.
• Emirates, a key player in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, is a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce.
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The airline, known for its commitment to excellence, has partnered with United for Wildlife, an organization founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2014, to shed light on eight of the most endangered species on the planet.

The United for Wildlife initiative strives to make it impossible for traffickers to transport, finance, or profit from illegal wildlife products. Through collaboration with the transport and finance sectors, partnerships with law enforcement and NGOs, and the sharing of information and best practices globally, United for Wildlife is making significant strides in disrupting this criminal network.

The airline has consistently demonstrated leadership in tackling the global threat posed by the illegal wildlife trade. Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s freight arm, has implemented a complete ban on hunting trophies of elephants, rhinoceros, lions, and tigers. Moreover, the airline achieved IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications in June 2023, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

The newly introduced wildlife amenity kits, featuring iconic endangered species such as the green sea turtle, African elephant, blue macaw, gorilla, hammerhead shark, lion, pangolin, and black rhino, serve as a tangible representation of Emirates’ dedication to wildlife preservation. These animals, unfortunately, are among the most trafficked creatures globally, facing imminent threats due to poaching and illegal trade.

David Fein, Co-Chair of United for Wildlife, commended Emirates for its consistent leadership and commitment in tackling the illegal wildlife trade. He emphasized the airline’s vital role in disrupting traffickers’ supply chains, calling the new amenity kits informative and inspiring for passengers.

The statistics shared by United for Wildlife underscore the urgency of the issue. Globally, 100 elephants are poached every day, putting them on track for extinction in the wild by 2025 if current rates persist. Rhinos, once abundant with 500’000 in the early 20th century, now number only 30’000. Pangolins, the most trafficked mammal in the world, face severe threats due to illegal trade.

The amenity kits themselves reflect Emirates’ dedication to sustainability. The pouches are reusable and crafted from washable kraft paper adorned with non-toxic soy-based ink illustrations of the endangered species. The contents include durable travel essentials designed to reduce the use of virgin plastic, such as a toothbrush made from a blend of wheat straw and plastic, and socks and eyeshades made from recycled plastic (rPET).

By leveraging its global reach and influence, Emirates continues to be a trailblazer in fostering awareness, disrupting illegal wildlife trade networks, and setting a standard for sustainable practices within the aviation industry. As passengers embark on their journeys, these kits not only offer travel essentials but also convey a message of responsibility and shared commitment to preserving our planet’s most vulnerable species.

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