Air cargo continues aid efforts for Turkey-Syria earthquake
Last week a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck close to the Turkish city of Gaziantep on the Syrian border, causing extensive casualties and deaths as well as damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The air cargo industry quickly swung into action to transport aid destined for the devastated region and efforts are continuing this week.
Virgin Atlantic cargo-only flight
Virgin Atlantic Cargo conducted one of the first UK aid flights to Turkey when an all-cargo flight left Heathrow airport on February 14 containing more than £350,000 worth of vital supplies for those in need following last week’s earthquake in the region.
The specially chartered Virgin Atlantic cargo-only flight departed at 1030 UK time transporting 64 pallets of clothing and other essential supplies, including 31,000 coats and blankets and almost a tonne (990kg) of infant milk powder.
The destination of the flight is Adana, a city approximately 115 miles from the epicentre of the earthquake, in Gaziantep province. The shipment will be handled on the ground by AFAD, the Turkish Government’s Aid Agency.
The humanitarian mission is being led by Magen David Adom UK and is a combined effort by a number of organisations, including crisis response charity Goods for Goods, medicines supplier Durban and Virgin Atlantic, who have donated the flight.
Shai Weiss, chief executive at Virgin Atlantic, said: “The loss of life and scenes of destruction in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake are truly devastating. We are doing all we can to support the relief effort and are pleased to once again partner with MDA UK to transport vital supplies to the region.
“Virgin Atlantic and its partners are united in the belief that business can be a force for good and we’ll continue to stand ready should further opportunities arise.”
AerCap efforts
AerCap has transported approximately 13 tons of humanitarian aid to Turkey following the devastating earthquake.
The freight, which was flown from Rotterdam to Antalya in Turkey on board an Airbus A321 aircraft, includes clothing, baby food and power generators, and will be distributed by several humanitarian aid organisations who are on the ground providing assistance in the region.
“AerCap is proud to play its part in transporting emergency humanitarian aid to support the global response effort following the earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Türkiye and Syria at this very difficult time and all those impacted by this tragedy,” said Aengus Kelly, chief executive of AerCap.
“We thank everyone who helped make this flight possible, including our colleagues, our partners at Southern Cross International and BBN Airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Türkiye, Fokker Techniek and STREWREIB, and the many individuals who assisted with loading the aid on board the aircraft.”