Qantas has announced that it will be renewing its partnership with the Red Cross for another three years. This long-standing partnership will provide more flights for the Australian Red Cross personnel and volunteers. As a result, it will improve emergency responses and expand humanitarian work across the country.

A Partnership for National Solidarity

Australian Red Cross is celebrating 110 years of providing support to everyone in times of disaster. This crucial funding will assist the organization in maintaining its focus on delivering services well into the future, by financing the recruitment and training of 750 new volunteers nationwide. 

Furthermore, the company will proudly partner with the Australian Red Cross’s Trauma Teddy®. The initiative is a well-known support item given to children and vulnerable community members. It works to ensure their comfort during emergencies like bushfires and floods, with up to 50,000 distributed annually.

Penny Harrison, Deputy CEO Australian Red Cross said the partnership with the airline would allow for volunteers to be trained in both psychological first aid and medical first aid.  

Qantas’ assistance will enable our volunteers to aid communities nationwide. We are grateful for their backing of our Trauma Teddies®, which offer comfort to many during crises.

Markus Svensson, CEO of Qantas Domestic stated in this regard  :

Qantas and the Australian Red Cross have collaborated for many years to assist Australians during times of crisis. Both organizations are committed to connecting communities, and this investment will have a real impact on Australians affected by disasters, by providing more trained volunteers who can be quickly deployed through Qantas’ extensive network. Since the 1940s, when Qantas sent essential supplies overseas, to its support during the 2019 bushfires, the airline is proud of its long-standing partnership with the Australian Red Cross. We are eager to continue our collaborative efforts to help Australian communities during challenging times.

History of The multi-million Partnership

Qantas and the Australian Red Cross have known a long-standing partnership since 1949. At that time, Qantas carried six tons of rice to the Philippines on a Qantas DC-4 aircraft. Qantas also supported Red Cross blood donations in the 1950s by offering a flying boat flight to Fiji as a prize. In 1974, the two partners collaborated to aid the community in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. Qantas set a world record for carrying the most passengers on a Boeing 747, and the Australian Red Cross mobilized 2,700 volunteers.

Moreover,Qantas contributed to the Australian Red Cross bushfire relief fund and supported their fundraising efforts through the extensive Qantas network in 2019-2020.The latest works were in 2022, whenQantas partnered with the Australian Red Cross to distribute Christmas presents to the Northern Rivers following floods. In 2023, they did the same for the Western Downs region of Queensland after the bushfires.

About Qantas

Qantas, founded in 1920 in Queensland, is Australia’s largest airline and recognized as a world leader in long-distance aviation, known for its operational excellence, customer service, and safety standards. The airline operates through two main brands, Qantas and Jetstar.

The Domestic and International airline has a large portfolio including passenger transport, freight services, and various subsidiaries. The company is commited  to quality training for pilots and a dedication to customer satisfaction evidenced by their customer charter.

Qantas has a long history of supporting the Australian Red Cross through various initiatives. From the 1950s to 2023, they collaborated to provide assistance during natural disasters and support fundraising efforts. Soon the partnership will be renewed for three years to expand more humanitarian work nationwide. 

To what extent do you think this partnership has on humanitarian aid and international flights ? We are happy to hear your thoughts !