Airlink has honored two key partners, Etihad Airways and All Hands Volunteers, as Airline Partner of the Year and NGO Partner of the Year, respectively, in recognition of their steadfast partnership with Airlink in 2015.
“We are extremely pleased to recognize both Etihad Airways and All Hands Volunteers for their ongoing dedication and response to humanitarian crises in 2015,” commented Steve Smith, Executive Director of Airlink. “Etihad Airways provided tremendous support to Airlink and its partners this year, and their contribution to disaster relief is a testament to the kind of difference the aviation industry can make through Airlink. Our longtime partner, All Hands Volunteers, continues to do outstanding work through their unique volunteer-based model, and we look forward to working with both partners again in 2016.”
In 2015, Etihad Airways supported humanitarian efforts by providing substantial air transportation to aid organizations responding to the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal in April. In total, Etihad transported 53 relief workers to respond to disasters in 2015, totaling more than US$70,000 in donated flights in aid of 5 nonprofit organizations. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We were pleased to assist Airlink as part of our extensive support activities for Nepal. The Airlink partnership is an important one for us, enabling our business to provide essential logistical support in times of crisis.”
All Hands Volunteers is recognized for their outstanding efforts to help families and communities rebuild their lives following disasters in the United States and around the world. During 2015, All Hands worked in response to multiple events, including massive flooding in Malawi, earthquakes in Nepal, and Hurricane Joaquin in South Carolina. In total, All Hands deployed over 100 relief personnel to respond to these events, coordinating more than 3,500 local and international volunteers and helping over 100,000 people in crisis. “We are greatly honored to have our efforts recognized by Airlink, whose endless support is invaluable to us. 2015 was a record breaking year for All Hands Volunteers and Airlink yet again had our backs in deploying teams to help those in need,” said CEO Erik Dyson.
The presentation of the awards took place during the Airlink Charity Gala Dinner, hosted by Aviation News Online, on Tuesday, January 19, 2015 at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Airline Economics’ Growth Frontiers Dublin 2016 Conference. “We are grateful to Philip and Victoria Tozer-Pennington and Aviation News Online for their continued support of Airlink, providing us with the opportunity to generate greater exposure for our mission within the aviation sector,” said Steve Smith.
Airlink remains committed to helping the aviation community and NGOs utilize air transportation to deliver humanitarian aid across the globe, and looks forward to working with Etihad Airways and All Hands Volunteers on future missions in 2016 and beyond.