Alaska Airlines, Airlink deliver medical supplies to Alaskan communities

Alaska Airlines and Airlink teamed up to deliver nearly 9,000 pounds of medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) to communities in Palmer, Alaska fighting the spread of Covid-19.

The medical supplies and PPE transported in partnership with Alaska Airlines will be distributed to local hospitals by the Alaska Conference of Adventist Community Services (ACS). ACS is the US arm of the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), both entities are partners of Airlink.

Nearby Anchorage is a major entry point for PPE cargo coming from China into the US, but much of that cargo moves on to the continental US. Rural and suburban areas of Alaska have struggled to obtain medical supplies to treat both the normal flow of patients in medical facilities and new Covid-19 cases.

“In times of crisis, Alaska Airlines has always answered our calls for assistance. True to form, they have responded positively during our Covid-19 response to ensure we have the resources needed to respond to the pandemic and natural disasters occurring at the same time,” said Steven J. Smith, Airlink president and CEO.”

Airlink and Alaska Airlines have previously partnered in response to hurricanes Dorian, Lane and Florence, as well as other Covid-19-related aid programs. In April 2020, Alaska Airlines granted Airlink 250,000 miles to transport responders to communities impacted by the pandemic and other crises. The miles were donated by the airline’s Mileage Plan™ members through the Alaska Airlines Disaster Relief Pool, which is used to support charities like Airlink involved with disaster relief efforts and for transportation of medical staff and volunteers.

Airlink’s Covid-19 response appeal has included transporting medical teams and more than 168 tons of emergency cargo supporting frontline medical personnel and vulnerable beneficiaries in communities hard-hit by the pandemic in the United States, China and Uganda.