Qatar Airways lends support to flood victims

DOHA: Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its latest Boeing 777 aircraft with relief aid onboard for victims of the devastating floods that hit Pakistan in August.

The supplies arrived in Doha following a 14-hour non-stop journey from Seattle. The aircraft is the 23rd wide body Boeing 777 to be inducted into the airline’s fleet. Qatar Airways, Boeing and a non-profit organisation – AmeriCares – collaborated to bring the relief aid from the United States.

A consignment of about 35,000 pounds (15.8 metric tons) of medical supplies was loaded into the cargo hold of the new Boeing 777-300ER delivered to Qatar Airways. The aid was flown onwards from Doha to Pakistan for distribution by local charity groups throughout the country.

“We believe it is important to continue to support the people of Pakistan and provide much needed relief goods. Along with our partners, we are proud to reach out to those whose lives have been unimaginably impacted by this tragedy,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways.

“This is the second time this year that Boeing is partnering with Qatar Airways and AmeriCares to bring relief to the people who are still suffering from the aftereffects of the floods,” said Liz Warman, director of Global Corporate Citizenship – Northwest Region, Boeing.

“Providing timely medical care is critical; though the floods have receded, the after effects such as sickness and disease continue to affect the people in these disaster zones.”