Emirates Honors Johannesburg Teachers with Unique ‘Aircrafted’ Bags Made from Recycled Aircraft Materials

Premium cream leather backpacks made from repurposed aircraft materials gifted to 100 teachers in Alexandra, Johannesburg in recognition of their dedication to the next generation

(IN SHORT) Emirates has honored 100 teachers in Alexandra, Johannesburg, by gifting them exclusive backpacks from its ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection, made from upcycled materials from the airline’s A380 and 777 aircraft. This initiative, aligned with World Teachers Day, is part of Emirates’ commitment to supporting education and community engagement. The bags, handmade at Emirates Engineering, were presented at Carter Primary School and Gordon Primary School, alongside other gifts like luxury notebooks and tea tumblers. Emirates emphasized the importance of education in community development, while the schools expressed gratitude for the recognition. The ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ program aims to repurpose over 50,000 kg of aircraft materials into items for schools across Africa and Asia.

(PRESS RELEASE) Johannesburg, South Africa, 2024-Oct-28 — /Travel PR News/ — As part of its dedication to community engagement, Emirates has recognized 100 teachers in Alexandra, Johannesburg, by gifting them exclusive, handcrafted backpacks from the airline’s limited-edition ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection. The bags, made from repurposed materials from Emirates’ iconic A380 and 777 aircraft, were presented to show appreciation for the teachers’ commitment to educating the next generation in one of Johannesburg’s most underserved areas.

Afzal Parambil, Emirates Regional Manager for Southern Africa, highlighted the airline’s longstanding relationship with South Africa, stating, “Since we first landed in Johannesburg in 1995, we have not only expanded our operations and supported the local tourism industry but also invested in the community. Education shares the same values as travel, expanding minds and enriching society. Honoring these dedicated teachers is our way of recognizing their hard work and supporting their critical role in shaping future leaders.”

The Emirates team, marking the occasion during the same month as World Teachers Day, visited Carter Primary School and Gordon Primary School in Alexandra. Both schools play a pivotal role in providing quality education to children in this historically underserved community. The initiative is part of Emirates’ broader commitment to youth development, where education is a key focus in its community projects.

Each teacher received a premium cream leather backpack crafted from materials upcycled from Emirates’ retired aircraft interiors, such as leather from First Class seating. The backpacks, handmade at Emirates Engineering in Dubai, represent a blend of the airline’s history and its spirit of innovation. The gift packs also included a luxury leather notebook, a portable tea tumbler, and premium teas from Dilmah, celebrating the teachers’ dedication and offering a small gesture of appreciation.

Principal Seemela of Carter Primary School expressed gratitude for the recognition: “It means a great deal to see our hard work acknowledged, especially in the communities where we work. Emirates has shown our students that dedication can be rewarded, inspiring them to strive for excellence, regardless of their circumstances. We hope this is the beginning of a long-lasting partnership.”

Emirates’ support for education extends beyond this gesture through its Emirates Airline Foundation, which backs several educational programs for children worldwide. In South Africa, the Foundation supports initiatives like Singakwenza, which provides early childhood education to low-income communities, and the Fikelela Children’s Centre, offering care and education to children affected by HIV/AIDS. Recently, the airline’s A380 bearing a special livery dedicated to the Foundation’s work made a significant visit to Johannesburg, symbolizing its ongoing philanthropic mission.

The ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection aims to give new life to materials salvaged from the airline’s cabin retrofit program. Over 50,000 kg of materials from 191 aircraft will be repurposed into bags and accessories, which will be donated to schools and organizations supporting early education across Africa and Asia before the end of the year.

About Emirates

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travelers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.

Media Contact:

Email: pr@emirates.com

Source: Emirates

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