Hainan Airlines becomes the first airline in Mainland China to join UNICEF's Change for Good® alliance

Beijing, 16 August 2013 – A ceremonial signing event was held on 15 August to celebrate Hainan Airlines becoming the first airline in Mainland China to join UNICEF's Change for Good® alliance. UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific Dan Toole and UNICEF Representative to China Gillian Mellsop attended the ceremony.

“UNICEF's relationship with the HNA Group started several years ago with a very generous offer of support for children affected by the Haiti earthquake.  We soon discovered that the HNA Group was also enthusiastic in supporting UNICEF advocate for child rights and child protection concepts in China.” said Gillian Mellsop, “I am very happy to welcome Hainan Airlines, as the first airline in Mainland China, to join in this global effort to support UNICEF's work with children.”

The 5-year Change for Good® programme with Hainan Airlines will be officially launched in September 2013. Hainan Airlines is committed to raising RMB10 million through the programme to support UNICEF's work in China and around the world. 

“After becoming the first airline in mainland China to join UNICEF's Change for Good® alliance, Hainan Airlines will continue to focus on improving children's situation in China and around the world,” said Chen Ming, Board Chairman of Hainan Airlines, ”It is a firm step forward for Hainan Airlines in fulfilling our corporate social responsibility.”

In China, HNA Group has also supported UNICEF to conduct  several summer camps that promoted child rights for vulnerable children. 

Change for Good® is an innovative partnership between UNICEF and the international airline industry. Established in 1991, it is one of UNICEF's best-known and longest-running partnerships. This project appeals to travellers to donate on-board the aircraft, to help UNICEF to improve the lives of children, and to help them to develop to their fullest potential. So far, Change for Good® has raised over US$120 million  globally. Currently the partnership has 11 international airline members including  Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, American Airlines and Qantas.