Etihad Airways and Emirates Red Crescent collaborated on a series of charitable initiatives to support people in need throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The collaboration is part of a greater philanthropic strategy at Etihad Airways, rolling out initiatives throughout 2017 that are in line with the UAE government's Year of Giving causes. The Ramadan initiatives were funded by Etihad Airways through proceeds from the airline's continuing Year of Giving campaign, where one dirham from every flight ticket sold in 2017 is donated to Emirates Red Crescent. Etihad Airways started the Ramadan charitable campaign by hosting Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts at the airline's headquarters. Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts is a social enterprise of Emirates Red Crescent showcasing and selling culturally inspired products that are handmade locally. The goal of the initiative is to preserve and encourage traditional craftsmanship. All proceeds from the initiative support Emirati craftswomen. Throughout the month, Etihad Airways staff, together with Emirates Red Crescent employees, volunteered to distribute Ramadan food packages and food coupons in Bani Yas and Musaffah to low-income families, labourers and others in need of support. This initiative alone benefited more than 2,000 people across the UAE. The airline also provided Iftar for hundreds of people through sponsoring Ramadan tents in the Northern Emirates and the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi Emirate. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: "The message of compassion at the heart of Ramadan is especially important for us in this Year of Giving. Working with our long-term humanitarian partner, Emirates Red Crescent, we have an opportunity to share our blessings and support those in need in the UAE." Commending Etihad Airways' humanitarian and development initiatives, Mohammed Yousef Al Fahim, deputy secretary-general for support services at Emirates Red Crescent, said: "The airline has been fulfilling its corporate social responsibility as it continues to play a vital role in supporting our national economy. Emirates Red Crescent is proud of the partnership with Etihad Airways, which is a step forward to strengthening joint efforts to provide more care to people supported by Emirates Red Crescent in the UAE and abroad." Etihad Airways has helped fund Emirates Red Crescent's local and international humanitarian projects since their 2015 cooperation agreement. Through Etihad Airways Guest campaign, members of the airline's Etihad Guest loyalty programme are able to donate their miles to support Emirates Red Crescent's ‘For You, Somalia' aid campaign targeting famine in the African nation. The initial 15 million mile target has already been exceeded and members can continue to contribute through www.etihadguest.com Etihad Aviation Group (EAG) is a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising five business divisions – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners. The group has minority investments in seven airlines: airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways, Virgin Australia, and Swiss-based Darwin Airline, trading as Etihad Regional. From its Abu Dhabi base, Etihad Airways flies to, or has announced plans to serve, more than 110 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of over 120 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with 204 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777Xs, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. — SG
