Amex GBT, Air Canada partner with Airlink to support emergency disaster relief
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has joined Air Canada and other airline partners to help transport relief workers and emergency supplies to disaster areas around the globe.
Through a new partnership with humanitarian relief organization Airlink, critical non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be able to respond to emergencies more quickly and efficiently.
Airlink provides free transport for a vetted network of hundreds of NGOs and charities around the world, assisting communities in the aftermath of disasters. Going forward, many of the complex travel bookings will be managed by Amex GBT travel counselor volunteers supporting the company’s social impact travel desk.
The partnership is expected to be operational in early 2024.
Evan Konwiser, Amex GBT’s Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, said: “We believe that travel powers progress, and one of the best examples is moving people when it matters most. We’re backing our beliefs with actions and partnerships and are excited to launch this new initiative with Airlink to support communities in times of crisis.”
The company joins Air Canada, a platinum Airlink partner, in its response to disasters and other humanitarian crises here at home and abroad. The airline recently worked with Airlink to respond to British Columbia’s devastating wildfires, as well as the transportation of relief workers providing medical care, food, clean water, and other essentials to Ukrainian refugees.
Steve Smith, Airlink’s President and CEO, explained that: “Airlink manages thousands of ticket bookings for disaster responders, across multiple global airlines. These partnerships help us speed up the process of getting responders where they are needed. It’s a great example of how the skills, expertise, and resources of the private and humanitarian sectors can be harnessed to bring aid and hope to people impacted by natural and man-made disasters.”
The organization’s unique model brings together skilled humanitarian actors, commercial aviation assets, and the power of both individuals and companies in the travel industry as a collective force for good.
