Over the course of the last few years our airline and its staff have, on many occasions, proved that they are ready and willing to offer help to those in need or in difficulties. In numerous instances we have played an active role in humanitarian projects coordinated by the Hungarian government or aid organizations, and in repatriating Hungarian citizens, for instance in the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia or during the 2006 Middle East conflict. In our charitable activities we work together with our strategic partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the charity organization Hungarian Baptist Aid.
In addition, we have helped in the treatment of several sick and disabled children and we also provide opportunities for young people to find out what the world of aviation and flying is really like.
Large scale humanitarian programme within the Budapest Adventure campaign helping victims of the L'Aquila earthquake
BTH Tourism Office of Budapest, the Hungarian National Tourist Office, the Hungarian Hotel Association, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Budapest Airport and service providers in the Hungarian capital are organizing a significant humanitarian scheme in cooperation with the Hungarian Embassy in Rome and the consulates. As part of the programme, more than 40 children from the area of Italy hit by an earthquake will take part in cultural adventures in the Hungarian capital between 9-13 July. The aim of the solidarity-based programme is for the Hungarian organizers and service providers to help young people from the earthquake-stricken zone.
The humanitarian initiative bringing together Hungarian professional organizations and service providers is a part of Budapest Adventure, the primary theme of which is the Cultural Adventure founded on a new experience-based Budapest marketing concept. During their five days in Budapest the young people will discover the Hungarian capital to be a metropolis full of special cultural experiences, unique venues and entertainment.
The Italian authorities selected those children taking part in the humanitarian programme organized on the initiative of the Italian office of Malév. Air tickets for the children's flights are being supplied by Malév, accommodation is being offered by Accor Hotels, while coordination and organization of all the programmes and guiding for the group is handled by BTH Tourism Office of Budapest and the Hungarian National Tourist Office. Organization on the Italian side is happening with the involvement of the Italy representation of the Hungarian National Tourist Office.
The aircraft carrying children from the earthquake-stricken part of Italy touches down in Budapest on 9 July.
The Cultural Adventure starts on the day of arrival, in the Citadel, and in the evening the children can enjoy the lights of Budapest during a sightseeing boat trip along the Danube. On 10 July there are extra special programmes such as a tour of the Palace of Wonders in Millenáris Park, an open-air picnic and treasure hunt on Margaret Island, followed by exploration of the island on four-wheel 'Bringóhintó' bikes. The discovery of Budapest continues the next day in City Park, where the children will be taken to Heroes' Square, Vajdahunyad Castle and the Municipal Zoo and Botanical Garden.
During their afternoon "adventure programme" they will be guided round Parliament, Szabadság Square and St. Stephen's Basilica, and then the underground Buda Castle Labyrinth. That evening the entertainment comes in the form of "Summer on Chain Bridge" festival programmes.
On Sunday they can splash around in the children's world of Aquaworld, one of Europe's largest indoor aqua parks, and then there is still time for a trip to the Hungarian Railway Museum.
The primary aim of the solidarity-based programme is to help young people from the earthquake-stricken zone, although another important goal is to promote - via the media - Budapest and the tourism offer of the capital in Italy. The programme is likely to attract considerable media interest in Italy, thereby drawing the attention of further potential visitors to the Hungarian capital over and above those who see the advertisements and special promotions running within the marketing campaign.
We will continue to provide reports on the humanitarian programme and the experiences of the children.
Malév performed again in children's wishes
The Hungarian Flag Carrier - has been cooperating with the Wonderlamp Foundation for years - fulfill the travel-wishes of three sick children.
Tamás, Kitty and Patrik flew on Malév board to Paris, from where they toured the place of their dreams, to Eurodisney, the children's paradise.
By granting the wish, the Wounderlamp Foundation would like to make the life of the sick children a little happier if only for a few hours.
In the five years since then it has turned the dreams of nearly 1000 sick children - aged between 3 and 18 years - into reality with the help of volunteers and sponsors nationwide.
Air assistance in times of crisis
As the Hungarian national carrier, Malév feels a sense of responsibility to help Hungarian citizens in trouble, ensuring their fastest possible repatriation.
Under the terms of the prevailing Statement of Understanding drawn up between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Hungary and Malév, the national carrier of Hungary, our airline - working in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry - helps in the air evacuation of citizens of Hungary and other EU states who have got into difficulties due to a crisis situation abroad.
According to the provisions of the agreement, and inasmuch as in the given region there is no immediate threat to aircraft, their crews and any passengers on board, we will undertake an active role in providing Hungarian and other EU citizens with an "escape route".
Link: Press release: Air assistance in crisis situations
Strategic cooperation with Hungarian Baptist Aid
Over several years our airline has helped the work of Hungarian Baptist Aid in the framework of a strategic cooperation agreement in order to provide humanitarian and charitable assistance. As a result, the ‘Baptist Rescue 24' team of experts and rescue dogs and all their equipment can, with our cooperation, reach areas hit by emergencies very quickly.
Link: Press release: Helping together
Christmas flight
Combined Christmas campaign organized by Malév and Hungarian Baptist Aid. It is a tradition going back several years that our airline launches the Christmas flight carrying presents and love packaged up in a thousand shoeboxes for orphaned children in Transylvania. The charity uses our Tirgu Mures flight to carry the gifts collected as part of its programme "Christmas for 10,000 Children - Shoebox Campaign". Naturally, the gift packages also include presents collected by many of the Malév staff, too.
Link: Press release: "Christmas flight" takes to the skies again
Campaign against breast cancer
Malév also supports the Estée Lauder breast cancer awareness campaign. During the campaign our flight attendants wear the pink ribbon signifying the importance of prevention.
Malév twins
During the 2006 Middle East conflict we brought a Hungarian-Lebanese woman pregnant with twins out of the war zone at the very last minute and flew her to Hungary. As a mark of her gratitude for this act, the young lady named one of her daughters Malévka.
Students from Lebanon and Israel
In the conflict in the Middle East in 2006 we offered to help a Lebanese and an Israeli group of children spend a summer holiday in Hungary organized by Hungarian Baptist Aid and the Municipality of Budapest.
Study excursions
Every year the airline takes groups of students around the airport base. These study excursions offer the chance for our experts to show students the interesting ‘behind the scenes' life of Malév. This fascinating insight brings the younger generation closer to Malév and aviation as a whole.
Joulupukki, the children's favourite
Lapland's Finnish Father Christmas, Joulupukki, traditionally arrives in Hungary on board one of our Helsinki flights. A local kindergarten and a group of disadvantaged kids or children from an institute caring for the disabled are invited to attend the welcoming reception at the airport. As well as the excitement of receiving presents the children are always delighted to meet in person the Father Christmas who travels by air.