United Airlines has launched a new online fundraising campaign in support of India in the face of an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 infections. The airline will donate up to five million bonus miles and match up to $40K in cash donations to relief partners.
On Tuesday (May 4, 2021), United Airlines announced an expansion of their India relief efforts with the launch of a new online fundraising campaign. The carrier will provide up to 5 million bonus miles and match up to $40,000 in cash donations to disaster relief partners. Customers can donate to the effort through United’s relief partners Airlink, Americares, GlobalGiving Foundation and World Central Kitchen. The carrier will offer up to 5 million bonus miles to encourage MileagePlus® members to support the effort, and will also match each donation up to a total of $40,000 in cash donations.
Over the last few days, United Airlines, the only U.S. carrier serving India, has helped transport over 300,000 pounds of essential medical supplies to the region.
In Tuesday’s announcement, United Airlines’ Vice President of Marketing & Loyalty and President of MileagePlus, Luc Bondar, said,
“Throughout the pandemic, we have been committed to leveraging our resources and relationships to provide support to communities hit hardest by COVID-19. As India faces this crisis, our generous customers, employees and MileagePlus members have stepped forward to ask how they can support those in need, and we are proud and humbled to facilitate this critical work.”
United is working directly with their partners, Airlink, Americares and World Central Kitchen for the transportation of critical Medical supplies and PPE, the support of COVID-19 treatment facilities, and hot meal distribution to healthcare workers. The online fundraising campaign platform is scheduled to be available through June 15, 2021. T o support United’s India COVID-19 relief efforts, please click here.
In addition to the new online fundraising campaign, United Airlines continues to leverage its cargo operations to transport essential medical equipment and supplies to the region. As previously mentioned, United has operated 20 flights to India from April 28th through May 2nd, 2021, carrying over 300,000 pounds of medical supplies. The shipments included donations from the U.S. India Chamber of Commerce and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in Houston, which provided 50 ventilators through the USICOC Foundation to the Indian Red Cross Society. United continues to break through supply chain barriers to execute rapid response humanitarian aid in coordination with their partner, Airlink. United Airlines has proudly served India since 2005 and employs more than 300 team members in the country.
Source: United Airlines