LE BOURGET: Major airlines and aerospace manufacturers and a UK trust have committed financial and in-kind flight support worth a total of $17.39 million to global humanitarian nonprofit Airlink.
The Airbus Foundation, GE Aerospace Foundation, American Airlines, Qatar Airways, United Airlines and UK-based grant-making trust the Woodward Charitable Trust announced their support for US-based Airlink this week at the Paris Air Show.
Airlink is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. It organizes free air transport and logistics for a network of over 250 vetted NGO partners to deliver supplies and disaster responders to communities affected by disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide.
“At a time when government funding allotted for humanitarian efforts is reduced, and budgets across the sector are slashed, we are seeing leaders emerge in the aviation sector who are stepping up to meet the needs of an estimated 320 million people in 2025,” Airlink president and CEO Steve Smith said. “Supporting millions of people—whether across the United States, in the mountains of Myanmar, or to remote communities in Sub-Saharan Africa—requires a feat of logistics. Tens of millions will need routine support for years in healthcare, WASH initiatives, and infrastructure strengthening. Their needs can’t be overlooked. We’ve been fortunate to have partners to help us aid 60 million people since 2010, but we have hundreds of millions more who are in need now and will be for years to come. We call upon leaders in all industries to find how their companies’ values can align with Airlink, and pledge to make a difference with us.”
The GE Aerospace Foundation is committing $1 million to Airlink in 2025, which builds on a $1 million commitment made last year. United, Airlink’s longest-standing partner, renewed its pledge to Airlink, increasing support to the highest level in its history: $4.2 million over two years in cash and flight support. American pledged a three-year donation of 60 million miles and 450 metric tons of cargo space. Qatar Airways is renewing its partnership with Airlink for the third time in seven years, committing an additional 500 metric tons of capacity over the next three years. The Woodward Charitable Trust, a new Airlink supporter, awarded a $1 million grant, while the Airbus Foundation is committing €7.5 million ($8.5 million) over four years.
Airlink has responded to hundreds of natural and man-made disasters, helping over 63 million people across 97 countries through coordination with 250 NGO partners.
United was the 2024 inaugural recipient of the ATW Humanitarian Force for Good Award, which is presented in partnership with Airlink. This year’s recipient is Qatar Airways Cargo.
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