Inside Airlink’s humanitarian airlift network: Partnerships, priorities and emerging demands

At the TIACA Air Cargo Forum 2025 in Abu Dhabi, we spoke with Bethany Holland, Associate Director – Humanitarian Programs at Airlink, to understand how the organisation is supporting faster and more effective humanitarian aid delivery through air cargo. In conversation with Rajarshi Chatterjee from STAT Publishing Group, Holland discussed Airlink’s collaboration model, which connects airlines, logistics providers and non-governmental organisations to move critical relief supplies to crisis-affected regions. She outlined the types of humanitarian aid most frequently transported in recent months, noting a shift from water, sanitation and hygiene kits towards increased demand for nutritional aid, including therapeutic food. The discussion also explored regions driving the highest demand for Airlink’s support, the nature of emergencies triggering responses, and the operational challenges involved in coordinating multi-carrier humanitarian airlift. Holland shared insights on how Airlink is adapting its network and capacity to meet growing needs, alongside its interest in technology-led solutions for improving reach and efficiency. An in-depth conversation on the evolving role of air cargo in humanitarian response and the partnerships that make life-saving deliveries possible.