When an airline takes delivery of a brand-new aircraft, it is typically flown empty from the manufacturer to the customer, even if the customer operates that exact route. However, every now and then, Boeing will make use of the empty space aboard brand-new aircraft for a good cause, as is the case here.

Humanitarian aid for Ethiopia

Between November 24th and December 4th, three new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft departed from the planemaker’s Washington facilities, bound for their new home with Ethiopian Airlines. Each aircraft was packed with medical and school supplies for those in need in the African nation.

Four organizations had collected supplies to send out to Ethiopia,

• The Global Ethiopian Diaspora Action Group donated surgical gloves.
• Nobel Humanitarian Missions donated surgical gloves.
• Open Hearts Big Dreams donated books and art supplies.
• The Ethiopian Institute of Resilience and Climate Change donated clothing, gloves, and bandages.

Photo: Boeing

These three aircraft would fly to Ethiopia regardless of demand to carry passengers or cargo, so it makes sense for the space onboard to be donated to carrying large low-density items for a good cause. Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of seven Boeing 737 MAXs since ungrounding the type, bringing its total fleet size to 11 aircraft.

According to ch-aviation.com, the three aircraft delivered with aid were,

• ET-AWF – November 24th
• ET-AWG – November 28th
• ET-AZO – December 4th

Not the first such flight

This is far from the first such flight that has been operated on Boeing aircraft that are being delivered. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew remarked that this was the 43rd Ethiopian Airlines humanitarian delivery. However, other airlines are also involved in humanitarian deliveries to different corners of the globe. One such example was an Uzbekistan Airways delivery carrying hospital beds, mattresses, and wheelchairs to its home country.

Photo: Boeing

Boeing launched the Humanitarian Delivery Flight Program back in 1992, and to date, more than 1.7 million tonnes of aid have been carried across more than 200 flights. Commenting on the latest delivery, Boeing’s VP of Global Engagement, Cheri Carter, remarked,

“The Humanitarian Flight Program has helped thousands of people in need gain access to critical care items and humanitarian aid over the past 30 years. These flights are the latest in a long legacy of service by Ethiopian Airlines for the Ethiopian people, and we are grateful for their continued partnership.”

Were you aware that Boeing delivery flights were sometimes used to ferry humanitarian aid? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below by clicking the blue button!

Sources: Boeing, ch-aviation