Airbus partners with customers, NGOs to combat COVID-19

There is no doubt that our industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. Airbus has been inspired by the solidarity with governments, private sector industry and non-profit organizations (NGOs) coming together to battle this global outbreak. Following are just some of the great efforts that have inspired us. 

In August, the Airbus Foundation, Aviation Sans Frontières, Viva Aerobus and Volaris transported 336,000 surgical masks and 6,560 face shields for donation to the Red Cross of Monterrey and Mexico City. Both airlines leveraged their latest A320neo deliveries originating from Airbus global headquarters in Toulouse. 

In July 2020, the Airbus Foundation flew an A330neo flight test aircraft to Panama. The 23 tons of humanitarian cargo were distributed by International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) & UNICEF throughout the Latin American countries most affected by COVID-19. Part of the supplies that landed in Panama made their way to Chile, prompting the Airbus Foundation to launch two additional humanitarian missions aboard H125 helicopters. Thanks to the support of Servicios Aereos Kipreos, Servicios Aereos SumaAir and the Chilean Red Cross, more than 1,300 pounds medical supplies, hygiene kits and food will be distributed to vulnerable citizens and front line volunteers.      

Also in July, the Brazilian Navy provided humanitarian support to 2,000 indigenous people affected by the Coronavirus, using an H225M to transport medical staff, hospital supplies and food.            

As we saw many airlines worldwide mobilize their resources to turn their passenger aircraft into cargo-flights to supply local communities with critical goods throughout the pandemic, Airbus was proud to support their efforts by developing cargo aircraft conversion kits to guide airline customers through the process of transforming their passenger aircraft into cargo aircraft. 

In addition to transporting hundreds of tons of humanitarian cargo including medical supplies and face masks to the neediest areas throughout the region, many of our customers in Latin America also played a critical role in repatriating thousands of passengers requiring urgent flights back to their home countries after borders started closing due to lockdowns.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Airbus was quick to procure and deliver millions of face masks from China to provide to first responders in France and Spain. Through an ‘air bridge’ between Europe and China, an Airbus flight test crew was able to complete a variety of humanitarian missions using an A350-1000, A330-800 and an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). Airbus also deployed an A400M and its Beluga fleet to transport shipments of masks between its European sites in France, Germany, the UK and Spain.   

We continue to be humbled by all these actions to help battle the impacts of COVID-19 and proud to be able to support where we can.

Written by:
Arturo Barreira
President Airbus Latin America and Caribbean