AIDA Funds Seven New Schools Through FLY & HELP Partnership

At this year’s Reiner Meutsch Foundation FLY & HELP charity gala, AIDA Cruises President Felix Eichhorn presented a donation check to foundation founder Reiner Meutsch, marking another milestone in the cruise line’s education initiative. The contribution will fund construction of AIDA Cruise & Help Schools 84 through 90 across Ivory Coast, India, Kenya, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Togo.

“Today we're taking a big step forward. Our check, worth €500,000, will enable the next seven school projects and thus provide concrete educational opportunities for the future of many children,” Eichhorn said during the event.

A key project will be built in Irusumanda, India, where a new preschool and elementary school for 850 children is planned. The facility will feature ten classrooms, a library, administrative offices, and sanitation areas. For the first time, two AIDA ships - AIDAprima and AIDAcosma - are jointly supporting a single initiative, with both crews organizing onboard fundraising activities over the past months. AIDA’s land-based employees have also joined the effort.

“We view bringing education to underserved regions as a mission close to our hearts. The successes of past years wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of guests and crew alike,” Eichhorn added.

Launched in 2019, AIDA Cruise & Help focuses on expanding access to education in developing nations, especially in regions frequently visited by AIDA ships and in crew members’ home countries.

Guests and crew continue to play a vital role in funding school projects. Toward the end of 2022, shipboard raffles and donation campaigns raised more than €171,000, helping to finance new school builds. By mid-2024, AIDA had already completed 60 schools across 12 countries, often connecting each ship in its fleet with specific educational projects.