FedEx Express recently supported the non-profit organisation ORBIS and its Flying Eye Hospitalaircraft by hosting a tour for government officials and media in Dubai.
The aircraft, which was maintained and supported on the ground by FedEx Express at its Dubaihub, has an onboard hospital that brings together dedicated eye care professionals and aviators togive the gift of sight to developing countries around the world.
The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital stopped in Dubai for two weeks to undergo routine technicalmaintenance and an operational team shuffle before taking off on its next mission to Dalian,northern China. The converted DC-10 aircraft was visited by senior executives from Dubai CivilAviation, Dubai Airports, FedEx and the media.
“We are grateful to the Dubai authorities for their accommodation and support of our globalmission. We’re also appreciative of the continued support from FedEx on the financial, logisticaland operational level for ORBIS and the Flying Eye Hospital,” said ORBIS Operations Director andformer FedEx Express pilot Bruce Johnson.
As a global sponsor FedEx has committed its unparalleled networks, dedicated employees and vastaviation expertise to assist ORBIS in delivering the gift of sight to countless individualsthroughout the developing world. FedEx also provides free shipping services to ORBIS,ensuring that much-needed medical supplies arrive at ORBIS’s worldwide locations when needed.
“FedEx is proud to be a global sponsor of ORBIS and the Delivering Sight Worldwide initiative toincrease awareness about avoidable blindness,” said Hamdi Osman, senior vice president, FedExExpress Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa. “We are privileged to be able to provide ORBISwith critical aviation support and equally delighted with FedEx pilots who volunteer their time tofly the Flying Eye Hospital to medical programme locations worldwide.”
As part of FedEx’ US$ 5.5 million commitment, the company has agreed to support 10 Flying EyeHospital programmes and has created a new fellowship programme called FedEx Fellows which wererecently awarded in Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
