Airlink
Airlink is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that connects 250+ vetted humanitarian nonprofit organizations with 50+ airline and logistics partners to provide donated airlift and cargo capacity for disaster response across 100+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Airlink does
Airlink is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization founded in 2009 by the ISTAT Foundation and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The company operates as a logistics intermediary that connects pre-vetted humanitarian nonprofit organizations with commercial airline partners to provide donated or low-cost airlift and cargo capacity for disaster response. As of 2026, Airlink's network spans more than 50 airline and transportation partners (including United Airlines, American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Southwest, Air Canada, Emirates, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and others), more than 250 vetted nonprofit humanitarian partners (including Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen, IFRC, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, Partners In Health, and Relief International), and a logistics partner layer (DHL, UPS, Flexport, SEKO, Priority Worldwide), collectively reaching over 100 countries across six geographic regions.
The core service offering is an eight-step humanitarian logistics process that runs from emergency activation through customs clearance to last-mile delivery, enabling nonprofit partners to request airlift within one business day for emergencies (two weeks for non-emergency applications). Airlink does not sell a discrete software product; rather, it delivers coordination, vetting, and risk-management services that protect >$60B in combined airline brand value while ensuring principled aid delivery. The platform's measurable impact includes over 18 million pounds of aid delivered, more than 15,000 responders flown, nearly 300 disasters responded to, and cumulative savings of $56 million for nonprofit partners (with $14 million saved in 2025 alone).
The business model is donation- and sponsorship-funded, not revenue-generating in the conventional sense. Funding comes from in-kind airline capacity (freemium-style free flights to vetted partners), multi-year corporate sponsorships through the AMPLI-fly program (including GE Aerospace Foundation, Airbus Foundation, United Airlines, Woodward Charitable Trust, and American Express Global Business Travel), individual giving, and foundation grants. Non-emergency and large-scale aid consignments may carry modest cost-sharing. The customer base is bifurcated: 250 nonprofit humanitarian organizations receiving services at no or low cost, and a smaller set of corporate donors and foundations providing the financial and in-kind capacity that funds operations.
Airlink firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Airlink
- Legal name
- Airlink, Inc.
- Website
- https://airlinkflight.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Airlink is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that connects 250+ vetted humanitarian nonprofit organizations with 50+ airline and logistics partners to provide donated airlift and cargo capacity for disaster response across 100+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Airlink industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Humanitarian Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Humanitarian, Relief & Government Cargo Airlift (THABAEAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Humanitarian / Relief Airlift Operators (TLADAAAM), Government, Diplomatic & Military Passenger Charter Operators (THABADAG)
Keywords
Where Airlink is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Airlink business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donated Airlift & Cargo Capacity: Airline partners donate passenger seats and cargo space on existing commercial flights for humanitarian responders and aid supplies. Most flights are completely free to nonprofit partners. This is Airlink's primary mechanism for delivering value.
- Corporate Sponsorships (AMPLI-fly Program): Airlink's AMPLI-fly annual flagship corporate funding program positions corporate donors as strategic partners. Includes multi-year commitments from GE Aerospace Foundation, Woodward Charitable Trust, Airbus Foundation, United Airlines, and American Express Global Business Travel. These funds support Airlink's operational capacity.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Airlift for Vetted Humanitarian NGOs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Airlink product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Airlink is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian nonprofit that connects pre-qualified nonprofit humanitarian organizations with a global network of 50+ airline partners to provide donated passenger seats and cargo capacity for disaster response. It coordinates the full logistics chain—from partner vetting and emergency activation through flight booking, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery—across 100+ countries, with most flights provided free of charge to vetted NGO partners.
Product overview
Airlink operates as a humanitarian logistics platform that connects nonprofit organizations with airline and transportation partners to facilitate rapid disaster response. The core offering is the Airlink platform, which provides low- and no-cost airfare and cargo solutions. The organization coordinates humanitarian airlift across six geographic regions (Asia & the Pacific, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, Middle East & North Africa, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa) using a network of 50+ airline partners and 250 nonprofit partner organizations. Key service components include emergency response coordination, vetting and risk management for partner organizations, customs clearance assistance, and multi-modal logistics solutions. The platform prioritizes life-saving aid delivery through an 8-step process from emergency activation to community delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Airlink Humanitarian Logistics Platform
- AMPLI-fly Corporate Partnership Program
- Emergency Airlift Response Coordination
- Multi-Modal Logistics and Last-Mile Delivery
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces disaster response time up to 50%
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Airlink
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Airlink technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Airlink partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
49 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Uganda AirlinescoreUganda Airlines signed an interline agreement with Airlink to expand regional connectivity across Southern Africa. Allows passengers to book single tickets from Entebbe to over 45 destinations in South Africa and the wider region, with simplified transfers and baggage handling.
- United AirlinescoreLeading airline partner providing donated passenger seats and cargo capacity for humanitarian disaster response. Major AMPLI-fly program partner. Partnership recognized as a Silver Winner at the 2026 Engage for Good Halo Awards.
- American AirlinescoreKey airline partner providing donated airlift and cargo capacity for humanitarian responses. Committed 60M air miles and 450 metric tons cargo over 3 years as announced at Paris Air Show 2025.
- Qatar AirwayscoreMajor airline partner providing cargo capacity for humanitarian logistics. Committed 500 metric tons capacity over 3 years as announced at Paris Air Show 2025.
- Southwest AirlinescoreAirline partner providing passenger and cargo capacity for humanitarian disaster response across the U.S. and international routes.
- Air CanadacoreAirline partner supporting humanitarian logistics with passenger seats and cargo capacity for disaster responses globally.
- EmiratescoreAirline partner providing airlift capacity for humanitarian disaster response, particularly for Middle East and Asia-Pacific routes.
- British AirwayscoreAirline partner providing passenger and cargo capacity for humanitarian responses.
- Alaska AirlinescoreAirline partner supporting North American disaster responses, including Western Alaska Floods response in 2025.
- JetBluecoreAirline partner providing airlift capacity for humanitarian disaster response.
- Virgin AtlanticcoreAirline partner providing passenger and cargo capacity for humanitarian responses.
- Cathay PacificcoreAirline partner providing airlift capacity for Asia-Pacific humanitarian responses.
- Airbus FoundationcoreAirbus Foundation provides financial and operational support as an AMPLI-fly program partner, contributing €7.5M over four years. Also provides airlift capacity through Airbus network for humanitarian responses.
- GE AerospacecoreGE Aerospace is a major AMPLI-fly program partner, with the GE Aerospace Foundation providing $1M funding support for Airlink's operations.
- DHLcoreLogistics partner providing ground transportation, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery support for humanitarian cargo transported via airline partners.
- FlexportcoreLogistics partner providing freight forwarding and supply chain management support for humanitarian cargo.
- UPScoreLogistics partner providing ground transportation and supply chain solutions for humanitarian cargo delivery.
- SEKO LogisticscoreLogistics partner providing specialized freight and humanitarian supply chain management.
- Priority WorldwidecoreLogistics partner providing international shipping and customs support for humanitarian cargo.
- Direct ReliefcoreMajor humanitarian nonprofit partner receiving donated airlift for medical supply transport during disasters globally. Works across Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions.
- World Central KitchencoreHumanitarian partner providing meals to disaster-affected communities. Airlink provides airlift for WCK teams, including Alaska flooding response alongside Alaska Airlines and United Airlines.
- CORE ResponsecoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner. Airlink's rapid coordination secured flights for CORE Response's Hurricane Melissa team, enabling key personnel to reach communities when needed most.
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)coreMajor humanitarian organization partner using Airlink's airlift services for disaster response coordination.
- Catholic Relief ServicescoreHumanitarian aid partner receiving airlift support from Airlink for delivering relief to disaster-affected communities.
- Global Empowerment MissioncoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner receiving Airlink airlift support for disaster relief operations.
- AmeriJetcoreCargo airline partner providing freight capacity for humanitarian aid shipments, including resumed aid shipments to Haiti.
- Partners In HealthcoreHealthcare nonprofit partner in Sub-Saharan Africa receiving Airlink logistics support for health system strengthening programs.
- IsraAIDcoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner operating across multiple regions including Europe and Middle East, receiving Airlink airlift for disaster responses.
- MedGlobalcoreMedical humanitarian nonprofit partner receiving Airlink logistics support for healthcare responses in multiple regions.
- CAREcoreLarge international humanitarian organization partner using Airlink's airlift services for disaster response in Latin America and other regions.
- Convoy of HopecoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner receiving Airlink airlift for disaster relief responses across multiple regions.
- All Hands and HeartscoreDisaster relief nonprofit partner using Airlink's airlift services for responses in Latin America, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- CADENAcoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner at Poland-Ukraine border and other crisis regions, receiving Airlink logistics support.
- AneracoreHumanitarian nonprofit focused on Middle East and North Africa. Airlink facilitated shipments of 3D-printed tourniquets to Lebanon via Anera as part of a decentralized aid pipeline.
- Afya FoundationcoreMedical supply humanitarian nonprofit partner receiving Airlink airlift support, part of decentralized aid pipeline including Distribute Aid.
- Fly AirlinkcoreSouth African airline partner providing regional airlift capacity for Sub-Saharan Africa humanitarian responses.
- Kenya AirwayscoreAirline partner providing regional airlift capacity for Sub-Saharan Africa humanitarian responses.
- Royal Air MaroccoreAirline partner providing airlift capacity for Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East humanitarian responses.
- Kam AircoreAirline partner providing airlift capacity for Asia-Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa humanitarian responses.
- Brussels AirlinescoreAirline partner providing airlift capacity for European and Sub-Saharan Africa humanitarian responses.
- Avianca AirlinescoreAirline partner providing Latin American airlift capacity for humanitarian disaster responses.
- Aero MexicocoreAirline partner providing Latin American airlift capacity for humanitarian disaster responses.
- Philippine AirlinescoreAirline partner providing Asia-Pacific airlift capacity for humanitarian disaster responses.
- SpiritcoreAirline partner providing North American and Latin American airlift capacity for humanitarian responses.
- AmericarescoreMedical humanitarian nonprofit partner receiving Airlink airlift support for healthcare disaster responses.
- International Medical CorpscoreHumanitarian health nonprofit partner receiving Airlink airlift support for medical responses in Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East.
- GlobalMediccoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner using Airlink airlift services for disaster responses in Europe and Middle East.
- Relief InternationalcoreHumanitarian nonprofit partner. Airlink's partnership with Relief International delivered essential medicines to health facilities in Sudan, enabling effective outbreak response.
- Haitian Bridge AlliancecoreHumanitarian nonprofit supporting Haitian communities and diaspora. Airlink supports their humanitarian operations through airlift services.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Airlink competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian organization delivering emergency relief and development programs. Comparable as a disaster-response partner working across similar geographies and crises that depend on Airlink-coordinated airlift.
- NetHope: Consortium of NGOs and technology companies focused on humanitarian digital and logistics coordination. Comparable as a coordinating intermediary that connects humanitarian organizations with shared resources, though primarily tech/data rather than airlift.
- Afya Foundation: Medical supply humanitarian organization already partnering with Airlink for cargo transport. Comparable because it operates in the same humanitarian medical supply chain niche, with overlapping beneficiary population.
- Project HOPE: Global health and humanitarian organization delivering emergency medical aid. Comparable as a smaller, focused health-emergency responder in overlapping geographies that relies on Airlink-style airlift support.
- ShelterBox: International disaster relief charity delivering emergency shelter and supplies. Comparable as a specialized humanitarian logistics NGO delivering aid to disaster-affected communities in similar regions.
Broad incumbents
- CARE International: Major international humanitarian organization responding to disasters globally. Comparable because it is one of Airlink's vetted nonprofit partners and provides overlapping emergency relief and disaster-response services to similar populations.
- American Red Cross: Major US-based disaster-response organization with global humanitarian operations. Comparable as an established humanitarian organization running logistics for similar disaster-response and aid-delivery scenarios.
- UNICEF Supply Division: Runs its own global supply chain operations delivering vaccines, nutrition, and supplies during emergencies. Comparable as a large incumbent humanitarian organization with in-house logistics capabilities serving similar populations.
- World Food Programme (UNHAS): UN World Food Programme operates the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), the largest humanitarian air logistics operator. Comparable as a larger, established incumbent running its own airlift operations, often overlapping with Airlink's beneficiary population.
Direct peers
- Direct Relief: Humanitarian medical aid nonprofit delivering pharmaceuticals and supplies worldwide. Comparable because it occupies a similar intermediary-coordinator role in humanitarian supply chains, serving overlapping NGO and disaster-response populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Airlink social profiles
Digital presenceAirlink financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Airlink leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Airlink funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Airlink M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Airlink
What does Airlink do?
Airlink is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian nonprofit that connects pre-qualified nonprofit humanitarian organizations with a global network of 50+ airline partners to provide donated passenger seats and cargo capacity for disaster response. It coordinates the full logistics chain—from partner vetting and emergency activation through flight booking, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery—across 100+ countries, with most flights provided free of charge to vetted NGO partners.
Is Airlink a public or private company?
Airlink is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Airlink founded?
Airlink was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Airlink based?
Airlink is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Airlink make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donated Airlift & Cargo Capacity is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships (AMPLI-fly Program).
Who are Airlink's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Mercy Corps, NetHope, Afya Foundation, Project HOPE and ShelterBox. Broad incumbents are CARE International, American Red Cross, UNICEF Supply Division and World Food Programme (UNHAS). Direct Relief is listed as a direct peer.
Does Airlink have an API?
No public API is recorded for Airlink.
What industry is Airlink in?
Airlink's product category is Humanitarian Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAEAI, Humanitarian, Relief & Government Cargo Airlift, with a secondary code of TLADAAAM, Humanitarian / Relief Airlift Operators. Its NAICS code is 4812 and its SIC code is 4731.