Boeing

A new Turkish Airlines 737-800 is leaving for Istanbul Wednesday evening with relief supplies destined for earthquake-devastated areas of Turkey. In addition, Boeing is donating $250,000 in cash to help provide humanitarian assistance to the Turkish people.

Boeing, in partnership with Turkish Airlines, arranged to have the supplies loaded and shipped as part of the company's International Relief Delivery Flights Program, which uses the empty cargo space on new airplanes to carry relief supplies. The airplane is the 15th delivered to Turkish Airlines - part of its order for 49 airplanes with options for 23.

"Our hearts are with the Turkish people as they rebuild their homes and their lives," said John Warner, senior vice president and chief administrative officer of The Boeing Company. "We are very fortunate that Turkish Airlines is taking delivery of this new airplane that could be used to carry supplies, and we are glad to help. This relief flight is a testament to Boeing employees' generosity and the company's dedication to help those whose lives were shattered by the earthquake."

The company contribution will be given to the Turkish Red Crescent Society. Boeing people around the world also have donated more than $30,300 through the Employees Community Fund to relief agencies, including the American Red Cross, World Relief, Feed the Children and the British Red Cross.

For the second time in less than a month, Boeing employee John Gokcen, who is also vice president of the Washington state branch of the Turkish-American Cultural Association, has collected several thousand pounds of supplies donated by Boeing employees and Seattle-area residents. Gokcen will be on Wednesday's flight to help the International Rotary deliver the cargo after it arrives in Turkey.

On the previous delivery flight to Turkey on Aug. 20, Boeing coordinated with Turkish Airlines to fly five medics from Northwest Medical Teams International and 8,000 pounds of relief supplies collected by Gokcen. The company also helped arrange the shipment of 100 kidney dialysis machines last week.

Release #C-1690