Medical equipment and personnel shipped on Airbus test A340-600

An Airbus flight on behalf of the Red Cross Red Crescent landed yesterday in Amman, Jordan, transporting 25 tonnes (143 cubic metres) of medical equipment and supplies as well as medical and logistics personnel. This Airbus A340-600 test aircraft was loaded in Helsinki by the Finnish Red Cross, with help from Finnair Cargo for palletizing and loading. This mission was arranged between the Airbus Corporate Foundation and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). These supplies will enable the delivery of medical services in a new Syrian refugee camp currently being set up in Azraq, 100 kilometres east of Amman, which will accommodate up to 130,000 people. The goods sent by the Finnish Red Cross are a part of a joint Red Cross Red Crescent initiative and includes beds, tents, surgical equipment and medicine. Ten people from the Red Cross (nurses, doctors, and technicians) are also part of the support. IFRC Under Secretary General for Programme Services, Walter Cotte said: “The humanitarian needs to support the flight of thousands of people who are fleeing Syria increase every day. In Jordan, the Red Cross Red Crescent is providing vital health care to thousands of refugees. Airbus’ delivery of life-saving equipment, supplies and skilled people is invaluable, enabling us to provide for the health care needs of this vulnerable population.” Andrea Debbané, Executive Director of the Airbus Foundation, said: “The Airbus Foundation has been working regularly for several years with the IFRC, coordinating humanitarian missions such as this one today in Jordan. We also wish to thank all our partners involved in this project, the IFRC, the Finnish Red Cross, Finnair Cargo and Nordisk Aviation.” In recent years, Airbus has built up a global network of airlines and relief organisations to support international humanitarian causes. Delivery flights of new to be delivered aircraft have been used on numerous occasions to transport goods to destinations in need all over the world. The Airbus Corporate Foundation was created in December 2008 to facilitate charitable activities worldwide within an international network of employees and partners. The organisation focuses its support on three themes: humanitarian and community support, youth development and the environment. Since its launch in December 2008, the Airbus Corporate Foundation has facilitated some 33 relief or goodwill flights to numerous destinations all over the globe.

Airbus press release