Antonov Airlines has flown aid and personnel from Chalons Vatry Airport, France to Beira, Mozambique to assist with Cyclone Idai humanitarian efforts.

An Antonov AN-124-100 carried 65 tonnes of relief supplies as well as logistics staff from aid organisations to support disaster relief efforts.

The cargo included malaria treatments, five water purification stations and over one thousand tents and shelters to support the humanitarian efforts taking place in the wake of severe flooding.

Paul Bingley, commercial manager of Antonov Airlines says: “Speed and efficiency are key when flying aid to a disaster area, and after the aircraft arrived in Vatry, loading took five hours to complete. We were ready for take-off by the time we received the final over-flight permits, working closely in cooperation with our partner, Bolloré Logistics Nord-Sud.”

Karine Dantier, charter director at Bolloré Logistics says: “Antonov Airlines had the hold capacity and flexibility we needed to bring life-saving supplies and assistance to Mozambique in the shortest possible timeframe.

“The Bolloré Logistics office in Beira, which was at the epicentre of the disaster, provided support staff to facilitate the unloading of the cargo, and having all the necessary expertise, provided handling, administration and the final delivery.”