Three weeks after devastating floods struck Nepal on August 26, more than 80,000 people remained affected, with some of the worst-hit communities facing significant challenges accessing essential supplies.
With roads washed away and ground infrastructure disrupted, air cargo is one of the few ways possible to reach those in need of humanitarian aid. Food, medicine and other critical supplies needed to reach communities that could no longer be reliably accessed by road.
To support the relief effort, we operated a humanitarian relief flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu on September 13, transporting essential aid to Nepal.
The logistical challenges of flying into Kathmandu
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, getting humanitarian supplies to the people who need them is rarely straightforward. Damaged roads, disrupted infrastructure, limited airport capacity and complex regulatory requirements can all create significant logistical challenges.
For this operation, one of our 747-400F’s, ER-BAM, flew into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal’s main international gateway. Operating a large cargo aircraft into Kathmandu presented its own challenges. Getting food and medicine on the ground required navigating intense logistical hurdles at the constrained, single-runway airfield. Because of Kathmandu’s high elevation, we had to cap our payload at 80 tonnes gross. We sourced, leased, and carried our own towbar just to ensure the aircraft could push back.
Coordinating an emergency air cargo operation
The operational challenges extended beyond the airport itself. Securing diplomatic clearances at such short notice was a challenge, but every effort was worth it to ensure this vital cargo reached the families who need it most.
Every element of the operation, from planning the payload to the ground handling, equipment and securing the required clearances had to come together, thanks to the expertise of our teams, to make the flight possible. This all happened within a limited timeframe through our dedicated to move these relief supplies.
Air cargo as a lifeline during disaster response
The Nepal operation was a reminder of the important role that aviation can play beyond the movement of commercial cargo. In situations where time, access and infrastructure are critical, the ability to deploy aircraft and coordinate complex logistics can make a meaningful difference.
We are proud to have played our part in helping move essential supplies to Nepal during a time of significant need. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the floods and with the communities continuing to recover.