Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways partner on Humanitarian Delivery Flight

Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways launched their third humanitarian delivery flight when the airline’s newest 787 Dreamliner departed Everett, Wash., carrying important equipment for hospitals in Uzbekistan. The shipment included hospital beds, mattresses and wheelchairs that will equip medical facilities in Uzbekistan to improve care for the most vulnerable of Uzbekistan’s population.

“We are delighted to have partnered with Boeing and Project C.U.R.E. to bring home a new consignment of medical supplies on our 787-8 delivery flight,” said Ilkhom Makhkamov, Chairman of Uzbekistan Airways. “This third flight builds on our partnership for two previous humanitarian flights in 2016. We would like to thank all involved parties for their generosity to support the Uzbek communities during this global pandemic.”

The supplies were provided by Project C.U.R.E. and will be received in Uzbekistan by the Ministry of Health Republic of Karakalpakstan. The delivery and ribbon cutting was attended by His Excellency Javlon Vakhabov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Rukhullo Zikrillaev, Counselor, Trade and Investment, Embassy of Uzbekistan.

“I would like to express my gratitude to Boeing for their support in making the shipment of humanitarian aid possible directly from Seattle to Tashkent,” said Ambassador Vakhabov. “Undoubtedly, today’s humble collaboration of Uzbekistan Airways, Boeing and Project C.U.R.E. with the sole aim of helping people in need is a vivid testimony of pure friendship and solidarity.  It is my firm belief that the generous donations of American people will find their best use in Uzbekistan’s hospitals, particularly in Karakalpakstan region – the most affected area by the Aral Sea catastrophe.”

In addition to partnering with Uzbekistan Airways and Project C.U.R.E. on this Humanitarian Delivery Flight, Boeing also announced a $100,000 donation to support Project C.U.R.E.’s efforts providing humanitarian medical supplies to Uzbek hospitals and medical facilities in the Aral Sea Region. People living in this region experience high incidence of diseases and one of the world’s highest rates of infant mortality. Additionally, the new challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are exacerbated by the limited existing healthcare facilities, capacity and infrastructure and lack of timely access to medical care.

“We are pleased to support Uzbekistan Airways in transporting medical supplies to better empower and equip medical facilities in the region through our Humanitarian Delivery Flight program,” said Bill McSherry, vice president of Government Operations, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Furthermore, we are honored to provide $100,000 to support Project C.U.R.E.’s important work in Uzbekistan, particularly at a time when the pandemic has created a greater demand than ever for critical medical supplies, infrastructure and care.”

“Project C.U.R.E. is honored to work with Boeing’s team and the Embassy of Uzbekistan on this program to assist the health facilities of Karakalpakstan,” said Melisa Esposti – Project C.U.R.E. Director of Government and NGO Relations.  “We are very thankful to have the humanitarian assistance flown quickly by Boeing and Uzbekistan Airways so that it will reach Tashkent as quickly as possible during the unprecedented pandemic.  Thank you to all of the Boeing employees involved and to all of the Project C.U.R.E. team and volunteers who are responsible for making this all possible.”  

Boeing launched the Humanitarian Delivery Flight program in 1992 as a collaboration between the company and its customers to transport humanitarian supplies assistance around the world on newly delivered airplanes with otherwise empty cargo holds.

To date, there have been over 200 humanitarian delivery flights. More than 1.6 million pounds of critical supplies have been delivered since the start of the program.

Uzbekistan Airways, founded in 1992, is the flag carrier of Uzbekistan headquartered in Tashkent.

By: Deborah Feldman