70 officers from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) have launched a ground-up initiative called "Bringing Back Blue Skies".

The officers, who call themselves Friends for Aviation (FFA), said that they wanted to show appreciation to the aviation frontline workers who have been working hard to keep Singapore's borders safe since the onset of the 19 pandemic.

S$50 EZ-Link cards

According to FFA's press release, the initiative plans to give out S$50 EZ-Link cards to at least 1,000 aviation frontline workers, including cleaners, trolley handlers and baggage handlers.

Some of these workers often need to travel to testing centres for more regular routine Covid-19 testing. Thus, the EZ-Link cards will help with their transport needs.

The cards will be distributed in July 2021.

To fund this effort, FFA has pooled S$25,000 among themselves.

They have also received support from Temasek Trust’s oscar@sg fund, which will match the contribution dollar for dollar.

Submitting messages of appreciation

FFA is also inviting members of the public to show support to the frontline workers by submitting messages of appreciation and encouragement.

These messages will be printed and given out together with the EZ-Link cards.

Members of the public who wish to contribute can do so by June 25.

More information can be found here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQAhR2-DKaY/

"They are not alone"

FFA was started by Angela Ng, who has worked at CAAS for over 10 years.

Ng said that FFA consists of a group of colleagues turned friends who want to contribute in "whatever small way (they) can" and bring a smile to the faces of the frontline workers.

"We share in their struggles and want to tell them that they are not alone. We are with them in this fight against Covid-19; the fight to bring blue skies back to Singapore aviation."

CAAS Director-General Designate Han Kok Juan said in statement on June 12 that initiative by FFA complements the S$15m fund that CAAS and Changi Airport Group (CAG) are setting aside to help aviation workers.

Top image by Shawn Ang via Unsplash.