Air Partner sourced and flew thousands of bottles of drinking water to Japan yesterday (March 28) as part of its on-going efforts in support of international aid provision for survivors of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami earlier this month.
The bottles, weighing 100 tonnes, were carried on a chartered Nippon Cargo Airlines Boeing 747-400 which flew from Japan to Hong Kong to collect the much needed freight, arguably the world’s most valuable commodity. The safe drinking water is now being distributed to people living in Japan’s Ibaraki region where clean water is in extremely short supply due to the severely damaged infrastructure.
The flight was organised on behalf of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) in response to Japan’s urgent request for help. Keith Lo, Air Partner’s general sales agent at WAI Asia in Hong Kong, sourced a cost-effective supply of water and immediately purchased the stock to safeguard its ownership.
Richard Smith, Air Partner’s Group Freight Director, said: “Quick thinking by our resourceful UK and Hong Kong freight teams enabled us to offer a complete package to DFID in double-time. Air Partner is pleased to be able to bring its skills and expertise into play when humanitarian needs arise. Our charter specialists are always happy to play their small part in efforts being made by the wider international community to respond to humanitarian needs.”
To date, Air Partner has flown 269 tonnes of relief aid and rescue equipment into Japan since disaster struck on March 11, with 145 tonnes being moved on the world’s only Antonov 225. Air Partner also flew 59 UK fire service search and rescue specialists, two rescue dogs and a medical support team into the country.
A statement issued by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday stated that Japan’s Government “deeply appreciates” the UK Government’s cooperation.
