Did you know?
More than 70,000 tonnes of food and commodities are delivered by air each year to relieve victims of floods, conflict and health crises.
Relevance to aviation
Aviation transports perishable agricultural products every day. In addition, aviation supports the delivery of vital humanitarian aid to areas devastated by natural disasters and war, through the World Food Programme and other charities. Aviation has a unique ability to move essential supplies over vast distances quickly.
Examples of action
- The UN World Food Programme coordinates the UN Humanitarian Air Service to transport vital food supplies quickly and safely to some of the world's most remote and challenging locations. These are often struck by war or natural disaster.
- Brisbane Airport supports the OzHarvest project, which collects unwanted food from Australian organisations, including leftover food produced by airlines and airport catering companies and donates it to those in need.
- The Airbus Foundation partners with humanitarian organisations, such as Action Against Hunger and the UN World Food Programme, to deliver food aid to areas hit by famine.
- American Airlines partners with Feeding America: a nationwide network of food banks. Its Miles for Social Good initiative enables passengers to support this and other charitable organisations by donating air miles.
- Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation launched several initiatives in 2022 to directly support relief efforts for the people affected by the crisis in Ukraine and to reinforce the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. This involved carrying kits containing food and other essential items to Frankfurt for onward transportation to the Ukraine.
Learn more in the Flying in Formation report