The flight from Heathrow, which was funded by the airline, delivered more than £350,000 worth of supplies to Turkey’s Adana airport, around 115 miles from the quake’s epicentre in Gaziantep province.

Among the 64 pallets are 31,000 coats and blankets and almost a tonne of infant milk powder. The shipment will be handled on the ground by AFAD, the Turkish government’s Aid Agency.
 
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey near the Syrian border in the early hours of 6 February, with tens of millions of people impacted and an estimated 33,000 deaths.

Virgin organised the flight with Israeli charity Magen David Adom UK (MDA).

Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss said: “The loss of life and scenes of destruction in Turkey and Syria following the earthquake are truly devastating.  

“We are doing all we can to support the relief effort and are pleased to once again partner with MDA UK to transport vital supplies to the region.  Virgin Atlantic and its partners are united in the belief that business can be a force for good and we’ll continue to stand ready should further opportunities arise.” 

 
Aviation minister Baroness Vere added: “I thank Virgin Atlantic for their efforts, whose flight today demonstrates the true power of the UK’s aviation sector to reach those most in need in the hardest hit areas.”