Etihad Airways honoured with award for its humanitarian efforts in Nepal from Airlink

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2015-11-10 — /Travel PR News/ — Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has received an award from Airlink, a humanitarian nonprofit organisation that links airlines with prequalified nonprofits, for its efforts following the Nepal earthquake disaster in April this year.

When the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Nepal on 25 April this year, Airlink immediately contacted Etihad Airways to request flight tickets for volunteers. In all, working with Airlink, Etihad Airways provided 54 flight tickets for aid workers from the USA, Europe and Australia to fly into Kathmandu.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief Operations Officer, said: “The relationship with Airlink is an important one, which allows us to provide rapid and essential logistic assistance to those in most need through the wider NGO network.”

Steven Smith, Airlink’s Executive Director, said: “We are pleased to recognise Etihad Airways for its dedication and support of nonprofit partners responding in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Nepal in April. They provided overwhelming support to responding nonprofits, enabling rapid relief and sustained humanitarian support following this catastrophic event. We are truly grateful for their partnership.”

This support was part of a greater relief program initiated by Etihad Airways to help the people of Nepal. This included the donation of 5,000 blankets that were transported to Nepal by the Red Crescent; the collection of over AED270,000 raised by staff through various fund-raising activities; and the provision of over 10,000 kilograms of free-of-charge excess baggage to passengers to carry relief and emergency aid into the country.

Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ award-winning loyalty programme, invited its members around the world to support the cause by contributing their Guest Miles. As a result, over 30 million miles were donated by Etihad Guest members.

The award was presented to Linden Coppell, Head of Sustainability at Etihad Airways, at the Airline Economics Conference gala dinner in Hong Kong.

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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2014 carried 14.8 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to or has announced plans to serve 113 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 119 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 66 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and five Airbus A380s.

Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. Etihad Airways, along with airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI, also participate in Etihad Airways Partners, a new brand that brings together like-minded airlines to offer customers more choice through improved networks and schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits.  For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com

For more information contact:

Amina Taher
Etihad Airways Corporate Communications
Direct: +971 2 511 3709
Email:  ataher@etihad.ae

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