Iran-Israel War: Lulu Airlifts 80,000 kg Food from India to UAE

Lulu Airlifts 80,000 kg of Fresh Food from India to UAE as War Disrupts Supply Routes

When conflict spreads across a region, the effects often reach far beyond the battlefield. In the Middle East, rising tensions linked to the Iran–Israel war have begun to affect everyday life, including how food reaches supermarket shelves.

Retail giant Lulu Group has taken an unusual step to avoid shortages. The company arranged special cargo flights to bring around 80,000 kilograms of fresh food from India to the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad Airways operated the cargo flights that delivered the shipment to Abu Dhabi. The aircraft carried about 12,000 packages of fruits and vegetables sourced from farms across India.

From the airport, logistics teams quickly transported the produce to Lulu’s distribution centres. The company then began sending the supplies to supermarkets across the UAE.

For shoppers walking into stores in cities like Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the move helps ensure that shelves remain stocked despite rising regional uncertainty.

War Disrupts Transport Across the Middle East

The emergency airlift reflects a wider problem developing across the region.

The conflict between Iran and Israel has disrupted several transportation routes that connect the Middle East with global supply networks. Airlines have adjusted flight paths in some areas, while shipping companies remain cautious about operating through sensitive maritime corridors.

Logistics companies say these disruptions have already reduced cargo capacity on certain routes.

Industry monitoring indicates that air cargo capacity serving the Middle East has dropped by roughly 22% since late February. With fewer flights available, companies that rely on air freight now face higher costs and tighter shipping schedules.

Sea routes have also become more uncertain. Shipping firms have raised security concerns around key maritime corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz and parts of the Gulf.

Although these routes remain open, even small disruptions can slow deliveries and create uncertainty for businesses that depend on steady imports.

India Emerges as Key Supplier During Crisis

India plays a major role in supplying fresh food to Gulf countries.

Fruits, vegetables, rice, meat and seafood move regularly from Indian ports and airports to markets across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.

The short travel distance between India and the Gulf makes it one of the most reliable sources of fresh produce for the region.

Normally, most of these goods travel by sea because shipping is cheaper. However, maritime transport can take several days.

During a crisis, retailers often switch to air cargo to maintain supply. Air freight allows fresh food to reach stores within hours instead of days.

The Lulu airlift shows how quickly these supply chains can adapt when disruptions threaten availability.

Thousands of boxes of produce arrived in a single shipment, highlighting the scale of the India-Gulf food trade.

Lulu Expands Emergency Supply Operations

The cargo flight is not the only emergency shipment organised by Lulu Group.

Earlier in the week, the company also arranged another cargo delivery carrying around 80 tonnes of meat from New Delhi to the Gulf region.

Additional shipments are now being planned from major Indian cities including Mumbai, Kochi and Bengaluru.

Lulu’s global sourcing network allows it to quickly shift supplies from different countries when disruptions occur.

“Our priority is to ensure customers continue to find fresh food in our stores,” Lulu Group chairman Yusuff Ali said.

The company operates hundreds of supermarkets across the Gulf, making it one of the region’s largest retail chains.

Why Food Security Matters in the Gulf

The situation highlights a broader challenge for Gulf economies.

Countries such as the UAE import a large portion of their food from overseas. Harsh desert climates limit domestic agricultural production, which makes global supply chains essential.

Because of this dependence, transportation disruptions can quickly affect food availability.

Logistics experts say major Gulf cities typically maintain only limited reserves of fresh produce. Continuous shipments from international suppliers keep supermarket supply steady.

If supply routes slow down for a prolonged period, shortages can emerge quickly.

Some industry analysts warn that under extreme circumstances, fresh food reserves in large cities like Dubai could last less than two weeks without new deliveries.

Retailers Adapt to Uncertain Supply Chains

For now, emergency cargo flights are helping bridge the gap between supply and demand.

Retailers, airlines and logistics firms are working together to maintain steady deliveries of food and other essential goods across the region.

The Lulu shipment demonstrates how companies are adapting to geopolitical uncertainty. Instead of relying solely on traditional shipping routes, businesses are turning to faster and more flexible transport solutions.

As tensions continue across the Middle East, supply chains will likely remain under pressure.

But for the moment, aircraft carrying thousands of kilograms of fresh produce from India are helping ensure that supermarket shelves across the UAE remain full.