It is a totally surreal situation happen to us every time we wanna fly our first mission.First, we had to cancel our mission in November due to four (4!) airline groundings in Europe happened in September / October 2019.Then we had the intention to fly the next mission in March 2020, but the political situation in the middle east (Iran, Syria) has changed in January and is still ongoing. We already had our cargo aircraft!However, the company declined to fly the assigned route, because it was too close to political unstable zones. Not enough, we also had to cover additional costs regarding war insurance and longer flight times, which was just not affordable for us. At the same time, the Corona Virus made its global landfall, which affected the airline and travel industry again.
It proofs once again the need of an independent humanitarian transportation system, which is able to act and react regardless of any political and/or economy situation.
We use the time now to get more than just the minimum of the required financial amount to fly our mission. This should allow us to make our decisions and to fly our mission independent on any political situation, because we care about people in need.
It has been quiet around us the past few weeks, but that does not mean, we lean back.
After we had to postpone our first mission because of various airlines groundings and missing availability of a suitable aircraft, the political situation in the middle east (Iran, Syria) has changed in January.
This cuts again the availability of charter airplanes because many companies do not fly in or even close to political unstable zones. Not enough, we also had to cover additional costs regarding insurance and longer flight times, which was just not affordable for us.
This fact underline once again, that a private, independent and political neutral solution is desperately needed to serve for people in need.
Therefore, we keep going and we work with all our passion to fly our first mission in 2020!
Dear Patrons, Donors, and Friends of Moonlight Air Organization
I am sorry to have to announce that we need to postpone to 2020 the mission planned for November 2019. We were in the final negotiations with an airline, but because of the current groundings and bankruptcy filings of a total of four airlines, they have decided to use the aircraft for commercial purposes instead. Since our team works on a volunteer basis, all donations are put 100% on hold and will be used to fund our first mission, as promised.
Current Aviation Situation Leads to Capacity Bottlenecks
The reason for the withdrawal of the aircraft during the final negotiations were the groundings/bankruptcy filings of a total of four airlines in September: Aigle Azur (F), Thomas Cook (UK), Adria Airways (SVN), and most recently XL (F). Add to this aviation „knock-out blow“ all those Boeing 737 MAXes, which are currently not allowed to fly and are also affecting the airlines‘ flight planning. Countless aircraft are now on the ground, but not allowed to fly for legal, insurance-related, operational, and myriad other reasons. The European airlines are now using their existing aircraft capacity to fly back stranded passengers on behalf of governments, insurers, and tour operators. These aircraft are naturally also committed in the future, to minimize financial losses for tour operators. It usually takes 1-2 months for the aircraft market to return to normal after a grounding, but in this case, it could take longer.
Increased Demand – Horrendous Prices All of these circumstances naturally have a knock-on effect on aircraft leasing and airline charter companies. In short, there is not a single aircraft available in Europe and the Middle East. Or else an aircraft might be available, but for operational or insurance-related reasons, the company cannot fly to that particular region; or else they don’t want to; and unfortunately there are those who actually would be willing to rent out a plane at horrendous prices because of the high demand, but which we cannot afford.This is just the tip of the iceberg of the reasons that we have to postpone the mission. But it is yet another clear indication and argument for why a non-commercial, independent, and purely private humanitarian airline like us needs to be ready at all times for humanitarian relief flights, medical missions, and in case of a disaster. We will keep you informed about the current status by the website, Facebook, and Instagram. Thank you very much for your support and your trust. Martial Widemann
Project Director
Effective fundraising for the very first Moonlight Air Mission is only possible with the perfect partners at our side. Umuntu and Gourmesse have made it possible for us to not only raise money for Moonlight Air Organization, but we have also been able to plant 1000 trees in Kenya!
1 tree releases up to 20’000 gallons of water per day into the air, produces up to 260lbs (118kg) of oxygen and converts one tone of carbon dioxide per year.
Why are we planting tees in Kenya? Becuase the soil is heavily contaminated by agriculture. Therefore, trees and plants are needed to recultivate the soil. From useful trees like mango, banana to medical trees like Moringa. In addition, trees provide a habitat for many species of wildlife, shelter, food and a home.
1000 bottles of natural Swiss water sold – 1000 trees will be planted!
CHF 6000.- donations for our medical mission received!
With our idea of working together we generate added value in different ways!
100% volunteered time – zero administration and/or other cost – and 300% impact!
What we have prepared over more than 3 years will make a change and will bring hope for millions of people around the world. People have to stop talking about the intention to change anything without doing, we have to act now! Therefore, support our cause and allow us to help the helpers.With our first mission we save lives and support more than 1’000 people in a direct way If you follow your bliss you will always have it. If you follow the money you may lose it. If you are convinced, then do it, no matter what others say.
Define yourself or be defined.
It takes courage, will and perseverance to be different. But it’s worth it, because no one can take that experience away from you. You only live once, so live your dream!
Keep your willingness to break taboos. Keep the ability to think and act differently, and your journey begins.
We are one of the lucky 8% of humanity which has more than the remaining 92%. Many of us have forgotten what is really important in life. People only strive for materialism, prosperity, career, attention and self-interest, hoping to find happiness, love and appreciation in what they do.
We have to recognize the gift of our education and for what we have been enabled through our studies. We should recognize our skills and talents and how we can utilize our skills in order to become passionate contributors to our society. We should do something that makes sense and fun. We should start to dream more and pursue those dreams with passion. What we seek and strive for is found in ourselves.