Humanitarian Pilots Initiative (HPI) is an NGO with charitable aims, with registered headquarters in Rehetobel, Switzerland. Its stated aim is to provide a focus for 'committed pilots and supporters who use their abilities for humanitarian purposes – regardless of politics, religion, ethnicity or nationality'.[1][2][3]
Assets
Since 2017, in the central Mediterranean, HPI in conjunction with Sea-Watch have operated a SAR-coordinating reconnaissance aircraft, Moonbird,[4] a single-engined Cirrus SR22 (registration HB-KMM),[5] and since June 2020, also the Seabird, a twin-engined high-performance Beechcraft Baron 58 (registration HB-GMM).[6][7][5]
Activities
In July 2018, Malta blocked Moonbird operations by HPI and Sea-Watch, following an incident between Italy, Malta and the charity ship Lifeline.[8] The Times of Malta reported that HPI had been "involved in rescue of 20,000 people".[8] The blockade lasted three months.[9][10]
In June 2020, during 14 missions, 21 boats were spotted, and more than 940 migrants in distress.[11]
In July 2020, pictures from the Moonbird showed ships apparently ignoring a vessel in distress over a period of 40 hours.[12]
On another sortie in July 2020, observers on the Moonbird gathered evidence suggesting the involvement of Armed Forces of Malta in refoulement by the Libyan coastguard.[13]
In September 2020, the Italian Civil Aviation authority grounded Moonbird; operations restarted in November 2020.[9]
In March 2021, by their own estimates, HPI flew 9 missions, during which a total of some 476 people were observed in distress on 7 boats.[14]
In June 2021, HPI's two aircraft were operating from Lampedusa, on the island of Sicily.[9] Both aircraft were still operational in December 2021.[15]