JetBlue and Atlas Air have teamed up to transport more than 110 tonnes of supplies to Puerto Rico to aid relief and recovery efforts.
The donations came from a variety of organisations including Food Bank For New York City, American Red Cross and the Afya Foundation, and Atlas Air donated and operated a Boeing 747 to get supplies to San Juan following Hurricane Maria.
It was loaded a variety of supplies from the Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office including food and other goods, supplies from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to help San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin Airport rebuild its infrastructure, non-perishable food and other items from the Food Bank For New York City and Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico including bottled water, nappies and hygiene products, relief supplies to crewmembers and families from JetBlue and medical supplies from the Afya Foundation and American Red Cross.
JetBlue director of corporate social responsibility, Icema Gibbs says: “The amount of donated supplies has far exceeded our expectations and has surpassed the capacities of our commercial Airbus A320 fleet.”
“Atlas Air, a fellow New York airline, sharing our commitment to assist the people of Puerto Rico, immediately stepped up to support, offering the use of one of their 747 cargo aircraft. We thank them for their incredible assistance and care for these communities.”
Atlas Air president and chief executive officer, Bill Flynn says: “By joining with JetBlue and donating our aircraft and crew, the supplies that have been gathered and donated by Governor Cuomo and the generous people and organisations in New York will be delivered to Puerto Rico in the quickest and most efficient way possible.”
JetBlue has launched 35 initiatives over 100 days as part of its 100×35 programme, providing airlift support, relief pricing, awareness and fundraising, people deployment and rebuilding efforts.
