AirBlue extends splendid help for Quake relief Operations in Pakistan

Pakistan Times
Pakistan Times Exclusive

KARACHI: Pakistan's top and apex 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 Pakistan's first independent daily E-newspaper, 'PakistanTimes.net' on Saturday that starting from October-10, Air has airlifted over 200,000 Kg of relief goods and passenger's excess baggage free of cost through its Karachi-Islamabad flights which are being operated twice daily.

The airline also airlifted almost 30,000 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.

Relief Ops

Mr. Shah Khaqan Abbasi said that in addition to this, the 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.

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, he said.

"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 publicizing whatever we are doing in our own humble way, but only as an incentive for others," Mr. Abbasi remarked.

Perspective

While lauding the efforts of the most popular private airline of Pakistan, 'PakistanTimes.net' brings to you some of the many ways, the dazzling Airblue is trying to do on its part to help those in need;

Online Booking Fundraiser: For every ticket that is booked online, Airblue is donating Rs.100 to fund relief efforts.

Agents for Aid: Airblue is matching all contributions made by airblue-certified travel agents via AirBlue's automated donations program.

Free Relief Cargo to the Northeast: All relief cargo is delivered free of charge on our Karachi - Islamabad sector. As of October-19, AirBlue has airlifted over 150,000 Kgs of relief cargo to the affected region.

Free air travel for medical and rescue personnel: Coordinated through government and non-government organizations, Airblue has flown over 150 medical rescue personnel into the northeast region. In the wake of the earthquake disaster, Airblue has dedicated many resources to aid the relief efforts.

Free relief goods cargo via "Airblue Relief Cargo" program: Airblue has dedicated its total domestic cargo capacity on the northbound Flights to transport relief goods free of charge for the earthquake victims. Any organization desiring to send relief goods may contact;

Airblue at 021-4671810 and 021-4671814. www.airblue.com

In the past four days, Airblue has delivered: Four Trucks / 400 bags of dry eatable items by road to the effected areas 100 bags of blankets/dry food by air with courtesy of PAF 500 additional blanket sets along with tents and dry food items.

Personal Efforts by Airblue Team Members: Airblue employees have been contributing on a personal level as well. Many employees are gathering items and delivering them to relief organizations after work hours.

Employees have also been encouraged to bring any donations to the AirBlue offices for air cargo delivery to the affected regions. Those goods are packed in-house and sent to Islamabad for further distribution.?