The airline loaded up one of its Dreamliners with hospital beds, humanitarian aid and medical supplies, and then flew them out to Warsaw in Poland on Wednesday (9 March), with some of the supplies destined for the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
The aid has been provided by disaster relief organisations Project CURE and GlobalMedic.
Project CURE will oversee the distribution of the supplies, which will allow local hospitals to expand capacity. Aid agencies have identified primary care as one of the most pressing needs in the Ukraine crisis.
Air Canada estimates two million Ukrainians have now been displaced following Russia’s invasion, with many fleeing their homes to seek safety in neighbouring countries.
It took part on behalf of disaster logistics non-profit organisation Airlink. Airlink’s role is to reduce or remove air transportation costs for non-government organisations when responding to humanitarian crises, and has a long-term partnership with Air Canada.
Jason Berry, Air Canada’s vice-president of cargo, said he was proud of all the organisations that took part. "Our hearts are with the Ukrainian people in need, all of us have seen the crisis they are facing," he said. "We are proud of our employees, who have stepped up to help organise the complex logistics, [and] handle and operate this special flight so quickly," he said.
Steve Smith, Airlink president and chief executive, described the logistics involved as "challenging", but said he was "thrilled" to be able to be of assistance. "This shipment will make a material impact on the lives of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict and support the communities hosting them," he said.
"Getting the shipment to Poland on behalf of our NGO partner Project CURE meant overcoming a challenging logistical environment, but I’m thrilled we could do it with assistance from our long-time friends and supporters Air Canada."
Dr Douglas Jackson, president and chief executive of Project CURE, said the shipment was one of many to come.
Global Medic executive director Rahul Singh added that the supplies, once landed, would be trucked straight to a hospital in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
He explained essential medicines were vital, as people would not have been able to bring prescriptions with them when fleeing, adding pharmacies would be in low supply, as would trauma supplies such as dressings.
