Press Release

Issued by The Air Charter Association.

December 21, 2020

Project Wingman, a charity set up to facilitate grounded aircrew support for NHS staff during the pandemic, has been awarded The Air Charter Association (The ACA)'s Chairman's Industry Recognition Award.

Established in March 2020, Project Wingman leverages the peer support and safety skills learned through aircrew training to take airline crews into NHS hospital settings and provide morale boosts, care and support.

Around 5,000 airline crew in the UK have volunteered for the project since March 2020, offering their time, knowledge and skills to serve NHS staff during the COVID-19 crisis. The teams operate Wingman Lounges, 'first-class' airport lounge equivalents, which act as support areas with sufficient space to maintain social distancing.

Kevin Ducksbury, chairman, The ACA says: “Project Wingman immediately stood out as a clear winner as it showcased the best of human kindness in the face of adversity. We have awarded Project Wingman for showing not only innovation and resilience, but true leadership and adaptability entirely driven by giving something back without any commercial or financial gain. A fantastic example of our industry not only supporting professionals within aviation but assisting another industry in a time of need.”

Since Project Wingman's initial launch at London's Whittington Hospital on 2 April 2020, the foundation has rolled out first-class Wingman Lounges to over 70 hospitals, covering a large number of locations across the UK. The charity is now fundraising for Wingman Wheels, a project dedicated to raising GBP100,000 to fund a Project Wingman Mobile Lounge.

The Award was announced at The ACA's virtual Awards and Christmas Drinks on Thursday 17 December 2020. Organisations and individuals were nominated by The ACA members. Nominees had to demonstrate proven resilience, leadership and innovation in 2020.