Airbus Foundation continues support for earthquake victims in Mexico using broad range of partners, technologies

Following initial support efforts in the aftermath of Mexico’s three devastating earthquakes in September, the Airbus Foundation continues its collaboration with customers, industry partners and relief agencies to send additional humanitarian aid to the victims affected. In the last two weeks, the Foundation has provided satellite images and transported much-needed supplies using delivery flights and Airbus helicopters.

Most recently, Volaris, Aviation Sans Frontières and Un Kilo de Ayuda (Aviation Sans Frontières’ local partner in Mexico) coordinated the shipment of more than three tons of equipment such as clothes, blankets, mattresses, cleaning products, medical supplies, tents and sleeping bags from Toulouse to Mexico City via the delivery of two Volaris A320neos.

Also, the Airbus Foundation and Interjet, with support from Aviation Capital Group and GE Aviation/CFM International, coordinated a relief flight via the delivery of Interjet’s new A321 on lease from Aviation Capital Group. Six tons of humanitarian aid including tents, self-inflating mattresses, camping hammers, camping lamps with dynamo and water-resistant tarps arrived at the Toluca International Airport from the Airbus outpost in Hamburg, Germany. The goods were sent by German relief organization humedica to Programa Prosigue, humedica’s partner organization in Mexico.

“Delivery flights of new aircraft are an excellent way to help deserving causes in our customers’ countries. I would like to thank our partners Aviation Capital Group, Aviation Sans Frontières, GE Aviation/CFM, humedica, Interjet and Volaris and for their tireless efforts and logistics support. This mission is a great example for the fact that aviation is a real force for good,” said Andrea Debbane, Executive Director of the Airbus Foundation.

Goodwill flights have not been the only way the Airbus Foundation has provided support to the country’s affected population. The Airbus Foundation also partnered with Mexican air ambulance service Angel Flight to provide helicopter emergency transport to the affected population. Two light helicopters of the Ecureuil family – an AS355 and an H130 – were made available to hospitals for the transfer of the critically injured, as well as transportation of food and medicine after the earthquake made road traffic impassable. Airbus earth observation satellite imageries were also made available to Airbus Foundation partners through a dedicated portal, which helped assess damage.

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About the Airbus Foundation

The Airbus Foundation, chaired by Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus, includes Airbus, Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space as founding and contributing members. It is the company’s vehicle for corporate philanthropy, using the group’s resources, aeronautic and space products, competencies, diverse workforce and culture for driving innovation to address societal issues. In particular, the Foundation supports the global humanitarian community and inspires and prepares young people for the challenges of tomorrow. Since its launch in December 2008, the Airbus Foundation has facilitated more than 60 relief or goodwill flights to numerous destinations around the globe. More information can be found at http://company.airbus.com/responsibility/Foundation.html. Follow us on Twitter: @AirbusFdn