The air cargo and logistics sector continues to transport aid to Turkey and Syria, almost a month after a deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the border area of the two countries on February 6.

Airlines, ocean carriers, and logistics operators have since announced various forms of aid to support continued rebuilding efforts there.

Global air charter specialist Chapman Freeborn has chartered numerous flights to the affected regions from the US, UAE, Germany, Spain, Belgium, India, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Singapore and the Philippines.

 Source: Chapman Freeborn

Chapman Freeborn noted that many years of civil war have rendered delivering cargo to Syria very challenging; however, its team has "navigated embargoes" and closed borders to ensure the aid reaches the people who need it most — while also coordinating its onward passage.

"The team has utilised their expertise and experience to gain the necessary land permits, flyover rights and approvals from the Syrian Civilian Aviation Authority and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, resulting in thousands of tonnes of aid reaching the population," said Neil Dursley, Group CCO.

FedEx Corp. also continues to support those affected by the earthquakes and has so far committed more than US$1,000,000 worth of in-kind shipping for aid transport.

 Source: FedEx

This includes the delivery of approximately 230 metric tonnes of relief supplies from Dubai to Istanbul, Turkey, via a charter of five FedEx MD-11 flights between February 17 to 21, 2023. The aid includes tents, blankets, baby items, household supplies, and hygiene kits from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Ocean Network Express (ONE) also donated SG$40,000 and US$60,000 through the Singapore Red Cross and the Turkish Red Crescent Society, respectively, as contributions to humanitarian aid efforts in response to the earthquakes.

Air Charter Service (ACS) said it also arranged multiple passenger and cargo aircraft charters into Turkey and Syria to transport search and rescue teams from Europe, along with critical aid for the victims of the quakes.

Ben Dinsdale, director for government and humanitarian services at ACS, said the charter company flew search and rescue teams immediately after receiving calls from both governments and NGOs; and figured the closest airport to the epicentre of the earthquake that remains functional that time, the Gaziantep Airport.

The first chartered Airbus A330-200 from Germany carried a search and rescue team on board the next day after the earthquake devasted parts of Turkey and Syria. 

 Source: Air Charter Services

On the same day, ACS noted that the UK government's search and rescue team, including dogs, were also transported to the affected areas — arriving on board another Airbus A330-200, which was also carrying vital cargo in its hold. ACS also flew cargo charters and an entire field hospital from Spain to Adana using a Boeing B747-400.

The border area between Turkey and Syria was struck by a deadly earthquake early last month, leaving over 50,000 people dead and causing major damage to infrastructure in the affected areas.

A second earthquake hit Turkey on February 20, two weeks after the February 6 quake.