Cargolux and FedEx operate aid flights to Beirut
24 / 08 / 2020
Cargolux and FedEx have conducted aid flights carrying supplies for Beirut as the city continues to recover from the deadly blast that happened earlier this month.
FedEx picked up $11m worth of medicines, medical supplies and personal protective equipment from the headquarters of charity Direct Relief in Santa Barbara, which was then trucked to the FedEx World Hub in Memphis.
From the there, the aid was flown on a FedEx B777F to Luxembourg. Cargolux then flew the aid on one of its B747Fs to from Luxembourg to Beirut free of charge.
Richard Forson, president and chief executive, commented: “It was important for Cargolux to support this relief shipment and assist the people of Beirut in the aftermath of this terrible explosion. As a recognised leader in the transport of medical and pharmaceutical goods, we are proud to leverage this expertise to help those affected by this tragedy”.
“FedEx has catalyzed and made possible a huge boost of urgently needed assistance to people in Beirut by providing its world-class team, logistics expertise and aircraft,” said Direct Relief president and chief executive Thomas Tighe. “Direct Relief and the many partners with which we’re working to help, including the American Task Force on Lebanon, are profoundly grateful for FedEx once again providing just an extraordinary example of leadership and action to assist people slammed by a humanitarian crisis.”