From Brindisi to Port au Prince

Italy’s all-cargo carrier, Cargoitalia, has joined the long list of airlines who have stepped in to help the giant relief airlift for Haiti.

Cargoitalia says it has so far operated two MD11SF flights: the first from Brindisi to Port au Prince, followed by a second flight from Milan and Rome to Santo Domingo, in the neighbouring Dominican Republic. The two flights carried a total of 135,000 kilograms of first aid equipment, medical kits and food on behalf of the Italian Government and international relief organisations.

Both flights required complex routings, with last minute changes, due to restrictions on civil flights into Port au Prince, and the lack of fuel at several other airports in the area.

“We maintain dedicated slots for charter operations in our schedules, so we were thankfully able to respond to the urgent plea for capacity at very short notice, and with two aircraft,” says Commercial Director Roberto Gilardoni.

“Despite the widely-reported air traffic and airport congestion throughout the region, we operated on time and had no problems on the ground. Everything went surprisingly smoothly.”

“We were very pleased that we were able to play a modest part in this huge operation, and we sincerely hope that the situation in Haiti will improve in the days to come,” he concludes.