When disaster hits, United Cargo is immediately in contact with relief organizations to arrange help in transporting responders and aid to the crisis location. That is what also happened in the wake of Typhoon Sinlaku, which devastated the Northern Mariana Islands on 14APR26, destroying the infrastructure and facilities in Tinian, Saipan, and Guam, leading to airport closures and leaving 43,000 people without electricity, access to fresh water and other necessary items. United collaborated with its key Community and Market Impact (CMI) partners such as the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and Airlink, to bring emergency shelters, medical care and hot meals to the typhoon’s victims. It also launched a Miles on a Mission campaign to support the islanders for longer.
Ben Scott, Cargo Sales Account Executive at United Airlines, recounted: “We resumed our regular daily service to and between Guam and Saipan, as soon as conditions allowed, on 20APR26, and arranged additional flights on that day and 22APR26, to bring urgent relief supplies to everyone affected by what is the world’s strongest storm so far, this year. Drinking water, generators, cleaning supplies and medical items are needed right now. We also carried hundreds of emergency responders to the impacted areas, and transported tourists out of the area. It will be a while before the islands are open for tourism, again. As the region’s leading carrier, United Airlines is doing everything it can to support the affected communities. United Airlines has pledged to match all donations made from now until 31MAY26, up to a value of USD 75,000, to help amplify the impact for our nonprofit partners working across Micronesia.”
United Airlines recently received one of the U.S.’ most respected honors in corporate social impact – the Silver Halo Award for Best Emergency/Disaster Response Initiative. When accepting the award at the 2026 Halo Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California, United Airlines’ Community and Market Impact Senior Manager, Pulin Thakkar thanked and praised the airline’s many partners such as Airlink. In the past 16 years, United and Airlink have together helped around 23 million people across the globe, arranging travel for almost 5,000 responders and transporting over 2.1 million pounds of relief and medical supplies to crisis regions. He said: “We continue to focus on being a leader in the disaster‑relief space – bringing together the strength of our nonprofit and corporate partners and, most importantly, the many employees who step up in moments that matter.” Paloma Adams-Allen, CEO and President of Airlink, stated: “No single organization can respond to the immense needs of communities during or after a crisis or emergency alone: we need networks of committed partners across the private and public sectors. United recognizes that doing good is good for business and our work together around the world helps the communities they serve.”
