Airlines worldwide are making individual efforts to transport equipment, aid and specialist personnel to the affected areas.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that it has expressed its deepest condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria affected by the devastating earthquake in the region. IATA emphasized the important contributions of the aviation industry to the relief effort, both in immediate search and rescue efforts and in long-term humanitarian assistance.
“This tragedy has deeply affected us and the world. On behalf of IATA member airlines, we express our deep sorrow to the people of Turkey and Syria. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this horrific event. We commend the heroic efforts of the rescuers who have rescued many people and continue to search for and care for survivors. Aviation plays an important role in supporting these efforts and in delivering the humanitarian assistance that will be crucial to helping people through recovery.”
In addition to the great efforts of members in the affected regions – namely Corendon Airlines, Freebird Airlines, MNG Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, SunExpress, SyrianAir and Turkish Airlines – airlines worldwide are making individual efforts to bring equipment, aid and specialist personnel to the affected areas.
Some of the affected airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, El Al, Emirates, Euroatlantic Airways, FedEx, FlyBaghdad, KamAir, Lufthansa Cargo, Middle East Airlines – Air Liban, Mongolian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways Cargo, Saudia Cargo , Smartwings Group and Wamos Air.
Airlink is a good example of how the aviation sector is responding to the crisis. Airlink, a non-profit organization specializing in crisis response and logistics, coordinates airline donated funds and NGO needs in times of crisis. Airlink is working with a growing list of some 19 airlines and supporting the work of nearly 50 NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisation) active in the crisis and already has a pipeline of nearly 450.000 kg of humanitarian cargo taking it to the affected areas to transport.
IATA
In addition to what airlines are doing to support rescue and humanitarian efforts, IATA is working with local stakeholders to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of critical industry support functions it provides, primarily its financial settlement systems.
IATA is working with local stakeholders to ensure that these systems continue to provide access to global distribution for affected markets, while taking into account the flexibility needed to operate in the extraordinary circumstances faced by some cargo and passenger agents.
