MANILA, Philippines - Asiana Airlines (OZ) recently marked the 18th year of its Change for Good program, which has turned over seven billion Korean won (around $6.4 million) in donations to UNICEF.
Change for Good encourages domestic and international passengers of the Korean airline to donate their unwanted change in any currency at the end of their flight.
Asiana Airlines president and CEO Young Doo-Yoon led the celebration held at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in New York.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake and Korean ambassador to the UN Kim Sook, as well as diplomats and Korean superstar Psy, were among the event’s guests.
“The Change for Good campaign’s proceeds are entirely from passengers’ donations. We are deeply thankful to all of our passengers who have participated in the campaign and lent support to UNICEF to give children happiness all over the world,” Young said.
Last year, Asiana raised over 830 million KRW (over $760,000) from international passengers alone. On the first year of the campaign in 1994, Asiana turned over 160 million KRW (over $146,000).
“The Change for Good campaign is innovative and creative,” Ban said. “The raised funds can be effectively used where they are needed the most around the world.”
One anonymous passenger, who regularly takes business trips via Asiana, now changes his cabin from business to travel and donates the deducted fare amount to the Change for Good campaign. Another anonymous passenger gave $10,000.
Asiana has also welcomed child passengers who have given their piggybanks just for the program. The airline hopes that this charitable culture will spread among the youth worldwide.
The Change for Good program has benefited children worldwide, specifically in Haiti and Afghanistan, and across African and Asian regions. Target areas suffer from famine, malnutrition and lack of education.
Passengers on Asiana Airlines can donate to Change for Good on any of their route networks. From its hub in Incheon International Airport, Asiana flies to 22 countries across Asia, the United States and Europe. In the Philippines, Asiana Airlines operates from Manila, Clark and Cebu.