Volga-Dnepr Airlines has completed eight AN-124-100 cargo flights carrying relief aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina on the southern coast of the United States.

Its first shipment, on behalf of the UK government, operated from RAF Brize Norton to Little Rock , Arkansas with supplies of food and medicines and water purification equipment. Two further flights from the UK were also completed, each carrying a further 90 tonnes of relief goods, including tents, blankets and drinking water.

Volga-Dnepr has also carried out humanitarian operations for the Dutch and Italian governments.

A 90-tonnes shipment of water pumps and medical supplies from the Dutch government was delivered to New Orleans from Antwerp while a further four flights – each carrying 180 prefabricated houses, sanitary and health protection equipment and water treatment chemicals – were successfully completed for the Italian government to Ellington, Texas.

Dennis Gliznoutsa, Group Commercial Director of Volga-Dnepr, said: “By working closely with our charter broker customers, the relief aid departments in each government and the Red Cross, we were able to provide flights into the area around New Orleans quickly after the hurricane struck. After 15 years of providing humanitarian flights, we have well-rehearsed procedures that can be quickly implemented and enable us to deliver urgently-needed equipment and supplies within hours of such a disaster happening.”

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