Emirates has strengthened its commitment to education and sustainability by partnering with six organizations across Africa. Together, they have distributed over 1,300 uniquely crafted schoolbags filled with essential learning supplies. These special bags are made from materials sourced from retired aircraft, aligning with Emirates’ broader goal of repurposing resources to benefit children around the world.
Supporting Education Across Africa
In Zimbabwe, Emirates worked with St Marcellin’s Children’s Village Trust and Rose of Sharon, organizations focused on providing education and care for vulnerable children. In Zambia, the airline partnered with the Kucetekela Foundation, which supports academically talented students facing financial difficulties, and the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Zambia, an NGO dedicated to protecting at-risk children through education and family support.
In Ethiopia, Emirates collaborated with Bravehearts Ethiopia, an NGO committed to providing quality education for disadvantaged children, and Roots Ethiopia, which promotes rural education initiatives. These partnerships are part of Emirates’ ongoing efforts to support educational and welfare programs through the Emirates Airline Foundation.
Local Emirates teams in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Ethiopia actively participated in the initiative. Country managers and staff were directly involved in packing and distributing the schoolbags, which included vital supplies such as stationery, calculators, and locally sourced books designed to enhance learning through culturally relevant stories.
Following the successful distribution in Africa, Emirates has announced that India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh will soon receive Aircrafted Kids schoolbags, with more countries to follow.
Transforming Aircraft Materials into Schoolbags
The Aircrafted Kids initiative is part of Emirates’ broader sustainability strategy, which aims to repurpose over 50,000 kilograms of aircraft materials. These materials are sourced from the airline’s fleet undergoing cabin refurbishments, ensuring the resources are used in a sustainable and responsible way.
Emirates Engineering played a key role in the project, designing the schoolbags from the durable seat fabric of its Economy Class cabins, made from 95% wool and 5% nylon. The bags were carefully crafted by a team of 14 maintenance assistants, who ensured they were safe, comfortable, and functional for school-aged children.
The fabric was professionally cleaned, conditioned, and disinfected before being transformed into high-quality schoolbags. New linings, zippers, and adjustable straps were added for comfort and usability. The finished products were then packed into special ‘Aircrafted Kids’ boxes and delivered to various locations via Emirates’ SkyCargo division and dnata Logistics.
Limited-Edition Luggage for a Good Cause
In addition to the schoolbags, Emirates is expanding its Aircrafted collection with a new phase of limited-edition luggage for purchase. The first collection, which sold out quickly, was highly successful, and the second phase will allow customers to take part in this sustainability-driven project. Proceeds from the sales will support humanitarian projects through the Emirates Airline Foundation.
Through the Aircrafted Kids program, Emirates continues to promote education, sustainability, and social responsibility—one upcycled schoolbag at a time.
