Universal Weather and Aviation will donate feasibility and consulting services to general aviation operators wanting to use their aircraft to support humanitarian missions delivering Covid-19 vaccines, the Houston-based company said Wednesday. Through at least June 30, 2021, Universal Trip Support will waive its fees on trip feasibility assessments, research, and consultation services for any private aircraft mission classified as a humanitarian Covid-19 vaccine delivery flight—whether or not the trip actually happens.
“In the early months of the pandemic, the world needed PPE, masks, and tests. Many flight departments answered the call for help, and we were proud to donate our services in support of so many of those missions,” said Universal Chairman Greg Evans. “Now that we have several approved vaccines, the business aviation industry will undoubtedly play an important role in helping deliver them where they are needed most. We want to use our expertise in global aviation restrictions and logistics to help ensure these life-saving missions can happen and are a success.”
Universal Trip Support will perform what it calls scenario-specific research and consulting to help private operators understand things such as mission feasibility, identifying operating restrictions and the best options to navigate through them, documentation requirements, crew/passenger requirements, what to expect on arrival (including questions authorities will ask), and local health and safety requirements—at no cost for these Covid-19 vaccine delivery missions.
Universal urges private operators attempting a humanitarian flight involving Covid-19 vaccine delivery to contact their Universal Trip Support team or account manager, or to request support online. Meanwhile, Universal frequently updates its Covid-19 webpage with the latest operating restrictions at no cost to users.
“Our business aviation community has made a tremendous difference already,” said Evans. “Now we have a chance to make history by playing our role in helping to end this pandemic.”