AFI KLM E&M And Aviation Without Borders: Taking Up A Humanitarian Challenge Together
June 7, 2017
Paris, Amstelveen, 7 June 2017 - In the months of April and May, and with the support of GE Aviation, AFI KLM E&M mobilized staff in its global network around a unifying humanitarian project in the shape of the connected ‘Run Up' campaign. By connecting a fitness device to the dedicated Run Up platform, participants were able to transform the distances they covered on foot or by bike into points, as a way of funding the humanitarian work of Aviation Without Borders. Extensive mobilization throughout the AFI KLM E&M networkIn 25 countries on every continent, Run Up attracted over 2,000 participants, who covered 280,000 kilometers in the space of a month and a half. For AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance Executive Vice President Anne Brachet, "the campaign's success testified to the common pulse that drives the Company despite the thousands of miles that separate our entities. I am delighted and proud to see that our workforce all round the world, in our workshops, outstations and subsidiaries, signed up for the challenge." Three challenges taken up The three Run Up challenges were brilliantly taken up. With the help of Flying Blue, the first challenge was designed to guarantee that some 40 youngsters can be flown for treatment in hospitals around Europe. Thanks to the second challenge, and using the logistics resources of AIR FRANCE KLM Martinair Cargo, five metric tons of milk will be flown via Miami to Haiti. The third challenge was to raise funds to ensure a year's ground and inflight operations for Aviation Without Borders aircraft - two Cessna Grand Caravans used by the NGO to carry out humanitarian missions in Africa. A long-standing relationship with Aviation Sans Frontières "AIR FRANCE KLM is a long-standing partner," says Jean-Yves Grosse, the President of Aviation Without Borders. "In France, our organization was set up by former Air France pilots, and today large numbers of Company employees - mechanics and crew members - dedicate themselves to our missions each year. And sister organizations are now springing up in several countries in Europe, notably in the Netherlands. A challenge on this scale, and a connected event, is a first for us and we are pleased to see that it mobilized maintenance teams on such a grand scale." In mobilizing a global network to achieve a shared objective of providing tangible support for a humanitarian cause, Run Up testifies to the strength of AFI KLM E&M societal commitments all over the world.
As part of this initiative, AFI KLM E&M benefited from a partnership with GE Aviation and was also able to rely on the dedication of partners including GA Telesis, CZ, the Air France Mutual Society, Flying Blue, and Garmin.About Aviation Without Borders Aviation Sans Frontières (Aviation Without Borders) was founded in 1980 and is run by over 800 volunteers and 13 paid staff who relay each other on a daily basis to operate each of its missions. As a vital link in the international humanitarian chain, the NGO contributes its combined expertise, its aircraft, and the airline network to deliver emergency assistance from France to its overseas bases as well as to fly or assist people all over the world. Aviation Sans Frontières operates its own Africa-based fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, allowing it to provide essential logistics support for over 180 partner organizations. Aviation Sans Frontières is the first NGO to have a European Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and meets the same standards as any other certified aviation company. It is a partner of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and of the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).www.asf.orgAbout AFI KLM E&MAir France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a workforce of over 14,000, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aero structure and fan thrust reverser support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 2,000 aircraft operated by 200 major international and domestic airlines.www.afiklmem.com or mobile.afiklmem.com
As part of this initiative, AFI KLM E&M benefited from a partnership with GE Aviation and was also able to rely on the dedication of partners including GA Telesis, CZ, the Air France Mutual Society, Flying Blue, and Garmin.About Aviation Without Borders Aviation Sans Frontières (Aviation Without Borders) was founded in 1980 and is run by over 800 volunteers and 13 paid staff who relay each other on a daily basis to operate each of its missions. As a vital link in the international humanitarian chain, the NGO contributes its combined expertise, its aircraft, and the airline network to deliver emergency assistance from France to its overseas bases as well as to fly or assist people all over the world. Aviation Sans Frontières operates its own Africa-based fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, allowing it to provide essential logistics support for over 180 partner organizations. Aviation Sans Frontières is the first NGO to have a European Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and meets the same standards as any other certified aviation company. It is a partner of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and of the European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).www.asf.orgAbout AFI KLM E&MAir France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance is a major multi-product MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) provider. With a workforce of over 14,000, AFI KLM E&M offers comprehensive technical support for airlines, ranging from engineering and line maintenance to engine overhaul, aero structure and fan thrust reverser support, as well as the management, repair and supply of aircraft components, structured around a powerful logistics network. AFI KLM E&M supports almost 2,000 aircraft operated by 200 major international and domestic airlines.www.afiklmem.com or mobile.afiklmem.com
