40 airline partners to fight Covid-19
Unicef is looking to recruit some of the airline industry's biggest operators to help distribute a coronavirus vaccine to 92 of the world's poorest nations. Further to Bloomberg, the UN humanitarian relief agency held a call with about 40 carriers to make plans for the global airlift and to identify each party's commercial tasks.
According to Iata, which helped arrange the meeting, about 30 large cargo airlines were concerned, including integrators and dedicated freighter operators. Airline groups with large cargo divisions also took part, together with carriers from regions, where work will largely focus.
Garuda Indonesia has separately been certified to transport vaccines within the country. With more than 410,000 confirmed virus cases so far, Indonesia has suffered the biggest outbreak in South-east Asia and presents a tough logistical challenge. (ah)