Emirates SkyCargo’s famous flowery-freight Rosie, has found its way to Shanghais Pudong International airport, on the day of the Qixi festival. SkyCargos rose-liveried Boeing 777 freighter aircraft arrived at the Chinese city during the early hours of 28th August to mark the day known as Chinese Valentines Day.
Back in Dubai, Rosie also featured prominently in an initiative organised by Emirates SkyCargo to mark the South Indian festival of Onam. The festival is celebrated by those living in the state of Kerala, as well as by over a million Keralites living in the Middle East region.
Every year, Emirates SkyCargo transports significant volumes of perishables including bananas and banana leaves, from Kerala to the Middle East during the run up to Onam. The fruits and vegetables are used to prepare the traditional festive banquet called the Onam Sadhya. Flowers brought in from India are also used in traditional Onam Pookalams which are intricate and colourful floral arrangements and form an integral part of Onam festivities. A special Onam Pookalam was put together by staff at Emirates SkyCargo to underline how the air cargo carrier helps bring a taste of home to expatriates in the region.
The rose decal on A6-EFL was originally unveiled in Dubai on the occasion of Valentines Day in February 2017, in order to highlight the role of Emirates SkyCargo in the global floriculture industry. Since then, the aircraft has flown around the world to close to 50 destinations across six continents and has made special visits, including arriving in Barcelona on the Catalan Day of the Rose. In six months, the aircraft has flown over 400 flights and has carried over 20,000 tonnes of cargo, including flowers and other perishables, pharmaceuticals, horses, cars, and general cargo.