Airlink and Ex-ISTAT Board member, Michael Weiss, Launches 19,000km Africa Fundraising Motorcycle Expedition for Airlink’s 15th Anniversary
(01/10/2025) London, UK and Washington DC, US – In honor of Airlink’s 15th anniversary, former board member of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), Michael Weiss is embarking on a 19,000 km motorcycle fundraising track along Africa’s western coast. The Wheels Down For Airlink Campaign will take Weiss from Cape Town to London to raise funds for a leading humanitarian organization.
This three-month journey starting in February 2025, will see Weiss navigate challenging terrains and diverse landscapes, all to highlight the work of Airlink in the region and globally. Through social media accounts on YouTube, X, Instagram and LinkedIn, the campaign aims also to broaden the public’s awareness of Airlink’s vital impact in supporting communities affected by humanitarian and environmental disasters.
Over the last 15 years, Airlink has been at the forefront of disaster relief. Working with aviation industry partners, Airlink supplies free airlift and logistical support to humanitarian and disaster relief NGOs. From responding to environmental disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes to humanitarian crises in conflict zones, Airlink ensures critical aid and relief workers reach communities in need.
Recently Airlink has supported partners in Vanuatu, the US, Brazil, Australia, and Gaza. In Africa, they have supported partners in countries such as Mayotte, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
Michael Weiss is the former Head of Aircraft Trading for SMBC Aviation Capital. His first aviation finance and leasing role was with UBS in the 1980s. Over the last 30 years, he’s held senior positions at ANZ Bank and Investec. In 2017, he was elected to the board of ISTAT. Before this, he sat on the board of the London Air Ambulance for six years.
On the trip, Weiss said, “Hanging up my aviation boots and putting on my motorcycle boots to tackle one of the most arduous motorcycle adventures all to raise awareness around Airlink is an honour. Airlink’s critical work has helped reach over 59 million people around the world. This vital work is needed now more than ever due to the current challenges presented by conflicts and environmental issues.”
“Weiss has always demonstrated incredible commitment to Airlink, in his professional career and while on the board of ISTAT, whose Foundation helped establish us as an organization, as well as in his personal life,” said Steve Smith, President and CEO of Airlink. “We thank him for embarking on this ambitious journey, all in the name of fundraising creatively on behalf of Airlink and raising awareness for the work we do year-round in the humanitarian sector,” Smith added. “His initiative is an inspiration to us all.”
Weiss is self-funding this journey to ensure that all donations go directly to support Airlink’s work.
For more information on Airlink’s mission or the “Wheels Down for Airlink” Campaign, please click here or join the journey by following the campaign’s social media accounts.
About Michael Weiss
Michael has over 30 years of experience in aviation and is a widely respected member of the aviation banking and aircraft leasing sector. He established Miami Weiss Aviation Limited in 2020 to provide advisory and consulting services to aircraft leasing companies.
Michael started his aviation career at Swiss Bank Corporation (now part of UBS) in the early 1990s before moving to ANZ Banking Group, both in London and Singapore. He joined Investec Bank PLC in 2002 where he was Head of Aircraft Finance.
From 2014 to 2020, Michael worked for SMBC Aviation Capital in Dublin where he was Head of Aircraft Trading and a member of the senior management team. Under his leadership, the Aircraft Trading Team extended its reach into new markets and built its presence in Asia, specifically Japan, alongside the company’s Japanese shareholders.
Michael was also a Director of ISTAT, the industry’s not-for-profit trade association from 2017 to 2021.
Michael is a keen biker having done several bike trips in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa.
About Airlink
Airlink is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization delivering critical aid to communities in crisis by providing free or discounted airlift and logistical solutions to vetted nonprofit partners, changing how the humanitarian community responds to disasters worldwide. Its network includes over 200 aid organizations and over 50 commercial and charter airlines. Since its inception in 2010, Airlink has flown 13,500 relief workers and transported 18 million pounds of humanitarian cargo, directly helping 60 million people impacted by natural and man-made disasters. In 2025 Airlink celebrates its 15th anniversary. For more information, visit airlinkflight.org and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Note to Editors: Photos, quotes and interviews with Michael Weiss or Airlink’s representatives are available upon request.
- Media Contact for Airlink
- Natalie Jacobsen, Director of Marketing & Communications, njacobsen@airlinkflight.org.
- Our Story – Airlink
- Media Contact for Michael Weiss.
- Jessica Weiss, PR and Marketing Manager, jessica.weiss@miamiweiss.co.uk.
- Wheels Down For Airlink – Join The Journey.