Etihad Airways receives award for humanitarian efforts in Nepal

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has received an award from Airlink, a humanitarian nonprofit organisation that links airlines with prequalified nonprofits, for its efforts following the Nepal earthquake disaster in April this year.

When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Nepal on 25 April this year, Airlink immediately contacted Etihad Airways to request flight tickets for volunteers. In all, working with Airlink, Etihad Airways provided 54 flight tickets for aid workers from the USA, Europe and Australia to fly into Kathmandu.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Operations Officer, said: “The relationship with Airlink is an important one, which allows us to provide rapid and essential logistic assistance to those in most need through the wider NGO network.”

Steven Smith, Airlink’s Executive Director, said: “We are pleased to recognise Etihad Airways for its dedication and support of nonprofit partners responding in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Nepal in April. They provided overwhelming support to responding nonprofits, enabling rapid relief and sustained humanitarian support following this catastrophic event. We are truly grateful for their partnership.”

This support was part of a greater relief program initiated by Etihad Airways to help the people of Nepal. This included the donation of 5,000 blankets that were transported to Nepal by the Red Crescent; the collection of over AED270,000 raised by staff through various fund-raising activities; and the provision of over 10,000 kilograms of free-of-charge excess baggage to passengers to carry relief and emergency aid into the country.

Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ award-winning loyalty programme, invited its members around the world to support the cause by contributing their Guest Miles. As a result, over 30 million miles were donated by Etihad Guest members.

The award was presented to Linden Coppell, Head of Sustainability at Etihad Airways, at the Airline Economics Conference gala dinner in Hong Kong.