Once Again the Logistics Community Steps Up to Help Others in Need

FRANCE – MOZAMBIQUE – Once again the logistics sector stepped up the plate to assist with humanitarian efforts in the region in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. Antonov Airlines has recently flown from Chalons Vatry Airport (XCR) in France, to Beira (BEW) in Mozambique with a 65 tonne payload of relief supplies and logistics staff from aid organisations to support disaster relief initiatives in the region.

An Antonov Airlines AN-124-100 aircraft was used on the mercy mission in conjunction with French freight outfit Bolloré Logistics, whose Charter Director Karine Dantier, said:

“Antonov Airlines had the hold capacity and flexibility we needed to bring life-saving supplies and assistance to Mozambique in the shortest possible timeframe. The Bolloré Logistics office in Beira, which was at the epicentre of the disaster, provided support staff to facilitate the unloading of the cargo, and having all the necessary expertise, provided handling, administration and the final delivery.”

The cargo included malaria treatments, five water purification stations, and over a thousand tents and shelters to support the humanitarian efforts taking place in the wake of severe flooding after the recent storms, and Paul Bingley, Commercial Manager, Antonov Airlines, commented:

“Speed and efficiency are key when flying aid to a disaster area, and after the aircraft arrived in Vatry, loading took five hours to complete. We were ready for take-off by the time we received the final over-flight permits, working closely in cooperation with our partner, Bolloré Logistics Nord-Sud

Photo: The giant aircraft seen loading the vital supplies.