AeroMexico, Boeing Send Supplies To Mexican Clinics Aboard
737-700
Medical supplies for rural Mexico clinics and computers for
disadvantaged children filled cargo holds and overhead storage bins
on the first flight of Aeromexico's newest Boeing Next-Generation
737-700 airplane.
Much of a new airplane's cargo space typically remains unused
when an airline flies a new airplane home. However, since 1992
Aeromexico and more than 58 other airlines have periodically
donated that space for no-cost transport of relief supplies.
This time around, Aeromexico teamed up with international relief
agency World Vision, Boeing and airplane leasing company ILFC to
fill the shiny 737-700 with 14 pallets of surgical gloves, sponges,
drapes and antiseptics for 20 rural medical clinics in several
Mexican states. An additional two pallets contained 10 computers
for Coatitla ADP (Area Development Program), an Internet training
program for impoverished youths around Mexico City. Total weight of
the supplies: 7,673 lbs.
"We could not have done this without you," World Vision Senior
Vice President Scott Jackson told Aeromexico Chief Executive
Officer Fernando Flores Sept. 13 during a ceremony in Seattle
marking the airplane delivery. "The medical supplies will be
especially important during the current rainy season, which is
marked by floods and tropical storms."
After arriving in Mexico City last week, the goods were
delivered to World Vision for distribution.
World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization
that helps children and communities worldwide by tackling the
causes of poverty. It assists the world's poorest children and
families in nearly 100 countries, including the United States. Its
non-profit work helps all people, regardless of their religious
beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background.
Flores responded that Aeromexico is "proud to support this
effort for the benefits it will provide to Mexico's citizens in
need." In an October delivery flight the airline will again provide
cargo space for 14 additional pallets of medical supplies.
While seemingly simple on its face, coordinating relief supplies
with delivery of a new airplane requires close cooperation between
many parties, including the relief agency, customs authorities,
Boeing -- which stores and loads materials -- the airline, and, as
in the Aeromexico case, ILFC, the company leasing the airplane.
The first Boeing assisted relief mission was in October 1992
using a TACA Airlines 737 delivery flight to ferry antibiotics and
pain killers to El Salvador. Since then, more than two million
pounds of relief supplies have been delivered to people around the
world. The airlines have sent supplies to people in more than 30
countries. More than 20 nongovernmental, nonprofit organizations
have participated.
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