Top Aviation Executives Join Forces To Promote Airlink, Better Support Communities In Crisis

To support its mission of mobilizing the aviation industry to ensure assistance reaches communities impacted by disasters and other humanitarian crises, nonprofit organization Airlink recently welcomed influential senior aviation executives to its newly formed Governors Council.

The Governors Council will be led by industry veteran Peter Davies, founder of Airline Management Group Ltd and chief restructuring officer for South African Airways.
 
“Navigating the complexities of humanitarian logistics requires a well-supported effort. We are thrilled to have some of aviation’s top leaders lend their experience and influence to further our ability to deliver relief to vulnerable communities,” said Mr. Davies.
 
Founding Governors Council members are:
 

• Alec Burger, President and CEO, GE Capital Aviation Services
• Chris Cholerton, President-Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce
• Bob Crandall, Former CEO, American Airlines
• Peter Davies, CEO and Founder, Airline Management Group Ltd.
• Christina Foerster, CEO, Brussels Airlines
• William J. Flynn, President and CEO, Atlas Air Worldwide
• Robin Hayes, CEO, JetBlue Airways
• Pedro Heilbron, CEO, Copa Airlines and Copa Holdings S.A.
• Peter R. Ingram, President and CEO, Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.
• Oscar Munoz, President and CEO, United Airlines
• Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO, American Airlines Group
• John Slattery, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation
• Bradley D. Tilden, Chairman and CEO, Alaska Air Group
• Andre Viljoen, CEO and Managing Director, Fiji Airways

Council members have committed to advancing Airlink and the life-saving role aviation plays in humanitarian relief -- ultimately helping the organization reach more people and communities in crisis.
 
“Supporting Airlink through the Governors Council is an honor and gives me, and the whole Copa team, an opportunity to bring relief to those needing it most,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Holdings S.A. “ I also feel committed to the important humanitarian role Airlink plays, improving access for the responders, and helping communities in their resilience process following crises.”
 
For Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United Airlines (pictured), Airlink’s mission aligns with his company’s commitment to global communities: "At United, we strive to not only deliver the very best service to our customers, but also to fulfill a spirit of service to communities around the world, especially in times of great need,” Munoz said. “We take deep pride in the role we play, leveraging our unique reach and resources as an airline, to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian challenges – from delivering vital supplies and personnel, to helping communities recover from tragedy. Airlink has been an outstanding partner in these ongoing efforts and I look forward to joining fellow airline leaders to bring critical help to those in need.”
 
Airlink is recognized as the aviation industry’s premier disaster and humanitarian relief charity largely due to its expansive network of partners and proven success getting assistance to hard-to-reach areas quickly and efficiently.
 
Since its founding in 2010, Airlink has assisted more than 80 aid organization partners relying on the charity to transport relief workers and humanitarian aid free-of-charge or at discounted rates to communities around the world. The organizations aided by Airlink specialize in providing medical care, food, clean water, shelter, training, and other assistance to those impacted by disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and refugee crises.  
 
With support from more than 40 airlines and numerous other businesses, foundations, and individual donors, Airlink has transported more than 5,000 relief workers and three million pounds of aid cargo in response to 75 disasters and other humanitarian missions.
 
The organization hopes to increase its capacity to respond to crises with the help of the Governors Council.

(Source: Airlink news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.airlinkflight.org