Malev transports Christmas gifts to Transylvania’s orphans

Malév—Hungarian Airlines has transported 1,000 Christmas gifts to orphans in Transylvania, the multi-ethnic northwestern half of Romania. Often referred to as the “shoebox flight,” Hungary’s flag carrier worked in conjunction with a charitable organization known as ‘Hungarian Baptist Aid,’ and transported a thousand presents wrapped in colourful shoeboxes, to the Transylvanian town of Tirgu Mures. Malév staff volunteered some of their free time to help wrap and prepare the gifts, while Magdolna Költö, a member of the privately-owned airline’s board, handed over the wrapped goods to the flight’s pilots and cabin crew.

Malév has a history of helping charitable organizations provide aid to people in need, especially to Hungarian minorities living in the neigbouring countries. For example, the carrier worked together with Baptist Aid in the past, when it helped provide relief for those living in war-torn areas of Eastern Europe, or to those had suffered due to natural disasters in the region. Baptist Aid often has to ship various forms of rescue and emergency equipment, as well as other cargo to these areas, and as such, Hungary’s flag carrier provides discounted rates and airfares to this organization. The so-called “shoebox flight,” however, was arranged free of charge, as it was last year, when Malév transported 600 gifts to Transylvania.

Unlike most major carriers, Malév’s problematic financial situation (the airline runs a yearly deficit and has a debt to pay back) makes it impossible for it to actually donate cash to charities. The airline does, however, try to compensate by cooperating with charitable foundations whenever possible.

www.malev.hu