Airblue makes priceless contribution to quake relief operation

Pakistan Observer

2005 October 19 KARACHI: The one-year old private sector airline Airblue has made a praiseworthy contribution to the ongoing relief operation and efforts are being carried out throughout the length and breadth of the country.

The Airline's Chief Operating Officer, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, told APP Tuesday that starting from October 10, Airblue has airlifted over 150,000 Kg of relief goods and passenger's excess baggage free of cost through its Karachi-Islamabad flights which are being operated twice daily.

He said the airline also airlifted 25,000 Kg of international cargo from Dubai to Karachi and on to Islamabad.

The cargo brought here from Dubai mainly included woolen blankets, coffin cloth, food and tents.

Shah Khaqan informed that Airblue also ferried teams of doctors and medical equipment in coordination with Pakistan Medical Association, Red Crescent Society, JPMC, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Zindagi Trust as well as doctors from Hyderabad through the District Coordination Office.

He said the relief workers transported free of cost included doctors, surgeons, paramedics besides groups of TV artists involved in the raising of funds for earthquake stricken people.

"It is a national tragedy in which colossal human and material losses have been suffered by the entire nation and at this juncture of test and trial, it becomes the obligation of each of us to play due role towards providing succour[sic] and relief to devastated people," Shahid Khaqan said. He said although we are not a big airline, our efforts will continue with our participation in the ongoing relief works. "We do not believe in publicising whatever we are doing in our own humble way, but only as an incentive for others," Mr. Abbasi said. --APP