TORONTO — The people of Ukraine are getting additional assistance from two of Canada’s biggest airlines – Air Canada and WestJet.

AIR CANADA

Air Canada announced that it is donating 100 million Aeroplan points to support the Canadian government’s initiative to bring Ukrainians to Canada. The points will contribute towards facilitating transportation and can be used on flights operated by Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners, including Lufthansa LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS, United Airlines and other carriers. The Shapiro Foundation is also contributing to this effort and Miles4Migratns, a non-profit charity will manage and facilitate the flight bookings.

“Together with our employees, we are ready and prepared to assist and support the Canadian Government’s plans to bring Ukrainian people to Canada. With our 100 million Aeroplan points donation, we offer our global network and the strength of our Star Alliance partnerships in facilitating travel to Canada. We are proud to work with other organizations and international programs to contribute towards a goal to enable up to 10,000 people to travel to Canada as quickly as possible,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada.

Aeroplan members may elect to contribute towards this initiative by donating Aeroplan points at Ukrainian Relief Fund. From April 20, 2022 until July 2022, members who donate Aeroplan Points to the Fund or to Miles4Migrants will double the impact of their contribution, as the value of the points donated will be matched by a donation equal to/up to 50,000000 points, by the Shapiro Foundation.

Air Canada’s support for Ukrainian relief aid to date includes:

• An Air Canada donation of $10 per booking made on its website starting March 22, 2022, for a total donation of $250,000 to Ukraine relief aid
• Air Canada employees and the Air Canada Foundation donated $170,000 to support Ukraine relief
• On March 9, Air Canada operated a humanitarian special cargo flight on behalf of Airlink and other aid partners, transporting hospital beds, humanitarian and medical supplies to neighbouring Warsaw, Poland, and medicines destined for Lviv, Ukraine
• Ongoing transportation of medical supplies to Europe with a final destination in the Ukraine
• Transportation of rapid response teams to scale up operations in Europe to help arriving Ukrainian families

WESTJET        

In partnership with the FlightHub Group, WestJet will be assisting in the transportation of GlobalMedic’s field team members to and from areas impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The airline will provide flights to and from European gateways across its network, where the FlightHub will then transport the GlobalMedic team members to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.

“We must continue to do our part in facilitating the delivery of crucial services, people and emergency supplies to Ukraine and its citizens,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet, CEO. “By partnering with FlightHub, we can ensure the incredible GlobalMedic team can continue their exemplary and vital efforts in providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its citizens through the distribution of medical supplies, food, hygiene items to those evacuating the country.”

Last month, the WestJet Group announced additional measures in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, including a $25,000 donation split between the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal and the Canadian Ukrainian Foundation. The airline also provided flight vouchers to Canadian humanitarian workers travelling to London, UK to assist them in getting one step closer to helping refugees fleeing Ukraine.