IAG Cargo transports 125 tonnes of aid for Ukraine

IAG Cargo has donated capacity to transport 125 tonnes of humanitarian aid for people affected by the Ukraine-Russia war in partnership with charities.

In recent weeks, IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group, has been working with charities including the Red Cross, Project Hope and SEPLA Ayuda, and its sister airlines Iberia, British Airways and Vueling to transport aid for Ukraine.

The first aid shipment took place on March 4 from Barcelona to Warsaw, carrying donations from colleagues at Vueling. Since then, the business has transported aid for the Spanish Red Cross and SEPLA Ayuda on Iberia A332s and A350s from its hub in Madrid, Spain to Budapest, Hungary. These flights carried blankets, bedding, kitchen equipment and tents.

The most recent shipment saw IAG Cargo partner with US-based Project HOPE and Priority Worldwide to deliver eight tonnes of medical aid from Boston into the region via London-Heathrow utilising a British Airways A380. IAG Cargo is in ongoing conversations with a number of global charities working to move aid for Ukraine.

Chris Skopec, Project HOPE’s executive vice president, global health programmes, said: “Project HOPE appreciates the support that IAG Cargo is providing as these desperately needed medical supplies move towards Ukraine. The coordination of these shipments is more difficult than many realize, but it has been truly heartening to see individuals, organizations, and corporations coming together in service to assist people in need.”

David Shepherd, managing director at IAG Cargo, commented: “Air cargo capacity is critical to moving supplies quickly. Our industry has always played a key role in providing the rapid response humanitarian crises require. At IAG Cargo we are using our global network and capacity to transport aid for Ukraine. I appreciate all that our people have done to support this effort.”

IAG Cargo has previously supported other humanitarian efforts, including two shipments of medical aid to India in 2021 during a peak in Covid-19 cases in the country, and 20 tonnes of aid to Haiti following the 2021 earthquake, when the business worked with the UK government to transport shelter kits and solar powered lanterns for up to 1,300 families.

Rebecca Jeffrey  www.aircargonews.net