The partnership was formalized in December 2021 through a multi-year agreement between the World Food Programme (WFP), as lead agency of the Logistics Cluster, and the Airbus Corporate Foundation. The core rationale was to bring cutting-edge logistics expertise, aviation assets, and technical resources from one of the world’s largest aerospace companies directly to the humanitarian community, enabling faster, more effective, and more accountable emergency responses. The partnership was specifically created for the Logistics Cluster due to its external, inter-agency focus and its role as a platform for the entire humanitarian sector.
What the Partnership Can Do for the Community of Humanitarian Partners
Direct Benefits
Rapid access to hard-to-reach areas: Airlifts and helicopters enable partners to deliver aid where roads are inaccessible due to insecurity, natural disasters, or infrastructure collapse. Air transport, satellite imagery, and technical expertise are essential for humanitarian partners to reach these locations and ensure continuity of operations.
Enhanced situational awareness: Satellite imagery supports better planning, needs assessment, and coordination, especially in complex emergencies.
Leveraging private sector innovation: Airbus brings advanced technology, operational know-how, and a global network of aviation and satellite assets, which help partners address challenges and adopt innovative solutions.
Enhanced situational awareness: Satellite imagery supports better planning, needs assessment, and coordination, especially in complex emergencies.
Leveraging private sector innovation: Airbus brings advanced technology, operational know-how, and a global network of aviation and satellite assets, which help partners address challenges and adopt innovative solutions.
Strategic Value
Multiplier effect: Every asset, flight, or service provided by Airbus Foundation benefits the entire humanitarian community, not just one organization. This creates efficiencies, reduces duplication, and accelerates collective impact. By supporting the Logistics Cluster, Airbus Foundation’s contributions benefit the entire humanitarian community—1,145 partners in 2025—rather than a single organization.
No cost to partners: All services are provided free-of-cost, subject to annual ceilings and compliance with partnership guidelines.
Flexible, needs-based support: The partnership is responsive to the evolving needs of the humanitarian sector, with regular bi-annual steering committee meetings to review progress, set priorities, and adapt support as required.
No cost to partners: All services are provided free-of-cost, subject to annual ceilings and compliance with partnership guidelines.
Flexible, needs-based support: The partnership is responsive to the evolving needs of the humanitarian sector, with regular bi-annual steering committee meetings to review progress, set priorities, and adapt support as required.
What the Partnership Does
Aviation and Airlift Support
Free-of-cost air transport: The partnership provides at least one fully paid aircraft flight per year, plus helicopter cargo capacity when available. These airlifts are used to deliver life-saving humanitarian cargo to hard-to-reach areas, as seen in recent operations in Burkina Faso, Gaza, and Sudan.
Satellite Imagery
On-demand satellite imagery: Humanitarian partners can request high-quality satellite images for rapid assessment of infrastructure, access constraints, and disaster impacts. This is crucial for planning, preparedness, and response, especially after sudden-onset disasters. The process is managed through the Logistics Cluster, with a centralized request system and compliance with end-user license agreements.
Recent Examples of Impact
Burkina Faso
Since 2024, support from the Airbus Foundation has been vital for the humanitarian response in Burkina Faso, enabling air transport of humanitarian cargo to 21 remote areas, some of which had been cut off from land access for more than two years.
Sudan/Chad
Airlifts provided a lifeline for populations cut off by floods and conflict, delivering essential supplies to health centers and supporting the setup of storage facilities.