The logistics humanitarian relief firm Airlink will get new backing for its disaster relief activities after French aircraft manufacturer Airbus pledged a four-year, $8.6 million donation to the organization.
The funding comes as Airlink celebrates 15 years in operation as a nonprofit organization that provides free air transport and logistical coordination for a network of over 250 vetted Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partners, assisting in the delivery of aid supplies and transport of disaster responders to communities affected by disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide.
Airlink last month said it was searching for a new leader after its president and CEO of the last 13 years, Steve Smith, announced he will step down in September.
According to Airlink, the new financial commitment will enable it to flexibly respond to rapid and protracted crises around the world, prepare vulnerable populations for disasters, train NGOs at regional workshops, strengthen health systems, and support communities in crisis.
Airbus made the pledge through its charitable arm, the Airbus Foundation, which said its long-term support was intended to increase logistical capacity for communities in need. “This commitment highlights the power of the aviation industry as a force for good, building capacity and pulling together for the benefit of communities facing extreme hardship,” Julie Kitcher, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer and Airbus Foundation Chair, said in a release. “At the Airbus Foundation, we focus on three core missions: providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief by leveraging Airbus’s products and expertise, fostering youth development and education, particularly in STEM fields, and supporting environmental protection and conservation efforts. Through these strategic areas, the aviation industry can address societal challenges and contribute to a more sustainable world.”
