Cargoitalia joins Haiti airlift

Transport of first aid equipment, medical kits and food

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 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 kilos 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. Cargoitalia currently operates two MD11SF freighters, with up to 90,000 kilo capacity. A third aircraft is due for delivery by mid-2010, and will provisionally operate Milan – Shanghai. From 2012, the MD11Fs will be progressively phased out, as the airline takes delivery of brand new Airbus A330-200 freighters, on which it has five confirmed orders and three options.

Quelle: Cargoitalia S.p.A.