Airlink today announces growing corporate support from the aviation industry to support global humanitarian activity. The Boeing Company, GECAS and UTC Aerospace Systems have become financial benefactors.
“We are truly honored to welcome these three new companies as sponsors of our organization,” commented Steve Smith, Executive Director of Airlink. “As an independent non-profit, we intend to seek funding from new and traditional sources who are interested in supporting the global aviation relief network that Airlink has envisioned. Securing The Boeing Company, GECAS, and UTC Aerospace Systems as benefactors, is a positive reflection on the aviation industry and demonstrates how we can come together to effect positive change in the world.”
Since its inception, Airlink has operated with modest funding, most of which came from the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) Foundation. In January, 2013, Airlink transformed into an independent non-profit organization, enabling them to broaden their financial and volunteer support, while maintaining connections with both the Foundation and the valued ISTAT members. In late 2013, Airlink’s fundraising prospectus was unveiled and solicitation efforts began in earnest.
“Grants will continue to be pursued from traditional non-profit funding institutions as well as partnerships with entities related to air transportation such as OEMs, leasing companies, freight forwarders and logistics companies,” concluded Smith. “Airlink is poised to become a ‘household’ name within the aviation community, and the dream of building a global relief network has never been closer.”
About Airlink
In 2013, Airlink secured $340,000 in donated air transportation for cargo and passenger movements from 15 airlines including Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, AmeriJet, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, KLM, Nippon Cargo Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United, and UPS. In kind donations of professional services include legal counsel from Katten Muchin, IT systems development from AerData, office space from Bristol Associates and tax services from Alan Chinn Group. Other corporate sponsors include Guggenheim Aviation, Vx Capital Partners, and a host of individual donors.
About The Boeing Company
Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. Boeing provides products and support services to customers in 150 countries and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales. Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 168,000 people across the United States and in more than 65 countries.
About GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GECAS, the U.S. and Irish commercial aircraft financing and leasing business of GE, has a fleet of over 1,620 owned and serviced aircraft with over 230 airlines. With 40+ years of industry experience, GECAS is recognized as the pre-eminent airline leasing company in the world, offering a wide range of aircraft types and financing options, including operating leases and secured debt financing. GECAS also provides an ever expanding array of productivity solutions including spare engine leasing, airport and airline consulting services, and spare parts financing and management. GECAS, a unit of GE Capital, has offices in 23 cities around the world, and services customers in 74 countries. (www.GECAS.com)
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ge.com.
About UTC Aerospace Systems
UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.
