EU Humanitarian Air Bridge

What is it?

The EU humanitarian air bridge (EUHAB) operations facilitate international transport of cargo for humanitarian partners and EU Member States. It is intended to help reinforce humanitarian or emergency responses for sudden onset crises in fragile contexts.

This initiative was set up by the European Commission in 2020 to facilitate transport in a context where many constraints were imposed. Since 2025, the EUHAB is part of ReliefEU. EUHAB operations have increased since 2020, accounting for more than 120 flights in 2025.

EUHAB operations are needs-based and its implementation brings together several actors: the European Commission, EU Member States and humanitarian and civil society organisations. 

Facts & figures

Since the establishment of the EUHAB in 2020:

Why is this important?

The EU humanitarian air bridge pursues 2 key, complementary objectives. 

First, it enhances humanitarian access by overcoming logistical or administrative barriers that restrict the delivery of critical assistance. 

Second, it promotes resource mutualisation within the humanitarian community, ensuring transport operations are as efficient and widely utilised as possible, whether by humanitarian actors or EU Member States. 

By achieving these goals, the EUHAB not only enables a timely and comprehensive humanitarian response but also actively expands access to deliver humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in crisis-affected regions. 

The supplies delivered through the EUHAB can be of different kinds, including logistics but also:

The supplies are provided by the EU (using its own ReliefEU stockpiles), by humanitarian partners, or by EU Member States. 

How are we helping?

The EU humanitarian air bridge operates in support of humanitarian actors. Deployment of these flights is determined by on-the-ground needs, with each case assessed individually to ensure the EUHAB delivers clear added value.

Flights are coordinated with Member States, and humanitarian actors, identifying the most critical gaps.

The European Commission finances 100% of the transport costs. The users of the EU humanitarian air bridge operations provide the cargo and supplies transported on board.

The EU humanitarian air bridge complements other humanitarian air services that the EU has in place or that it supports to help the humanitarian community continue the effective delivery of assistance.

Achievements since the establishment of EUHAB

Since the establishment of the EU humanitarian air bridge, more than 480 flights have been organised, reaching 43 countries across all 6 continents and supporting operations in 54 humanitarian crises. These efforts have facilitated the transport of over 16,000 tonnes of cargo, ensuring that critical supplies reach affected populations in a timely and efficient manner.

Operations have relied primarily on air transport through the EU humanitarian air bridge, complemented where necessary by road and maritime modalities to maximise reach and flexibility. This integrated logistics approach has allowed ReliefEU to respond effectively across diverse and complex operational environments, from sudden-onset emergencies to protracted crises.