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IAG Cargo transports 125 tonnes of aid for Ukraine

[ April 12, 2022   //   ]

In recent weeks, IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group, is working with leading charities including the Red Cross, Project Hope and SEPLA Ayuda and its sister airlines Iberia, British Airways and Vueling to transport aid for Ukraine. To date, the business has donated capacity to transport 125 tonnes of aid, including blankets, kitchen equipment and medical supplies. IAG Cargo will continue to support relief efforts into the region.
The first aid shipment took place on 4th March from Barcelona to Warsaw, carrying donations from colleagues at its sister airline 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.
“Air cargo capacity is critical to moving supplies quickly,” said David Shepherd, Managing Director at IAG Cargo. “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.”
The most recent shipment saw IAG Cargo partner with U.S. based Project HOPE and Priority Worldwide to deliver eight tonnes of medical aid from Boston into the region via London-Heathrow utilizing a British Airways A380. IAG Cargo is in ongoing conversations with a number of global charities working to move aid for Ukraine.
“Project HOPE appreciates the support that IAG Cargo is providing as these desperately needed medical supplies move towards Ukraine,” said Chris Skopec, Project HOPE’s Executive Vice President, Global Health Programs. “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.”
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.

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