Will Offer Free Flights To Critically Ill Patients
Jet Edge, a charter/management
company based in Van Nuys, California, announced Wednesday it has
joined forces with the Corporate Angel Network. Through this
alliance with the nonprofit charitable organization, Jet Edge will
be joining the ranks of more than 500 corporate flight departments
providing free travel on empty legs to critically ill patients in
need of medical treatment.
With its rapidly expanding fleet of six Gulfstream Aircraft,
based domestically and internationally, Jet Edge is confident that
one of their aircraft will be at the right place, at the right time
and will be available to transport a patient that cannot get to
treatment by any other means.
In business aviation, empty legs occur at least 20 percent of
the time. Jet Edge plans to utilize its repositioning legs to
assist patients that need to travel from one point to another for
necessary medical treatment.
"From time to time, our aircraft fly empty," said director of
charter sales Andrew Gulsrud. "Transporting patients affiliated
with the Corporate Angel Program is a win-win scenario for all
involved. The operator has nothing to lose and the patient has
everything to gain. If we can assist in helping even one person in
need, it will be worth it."
Jet Edge views its Corporate Angel
Network alliance as part of a long-term commitment to corporate
social responsibility. The company recognizes that every empty leg
is a potential opportunity to give back.
Within the next month, Jet Edge projects growth of their managed
fleet by approximately 30%, adding two large-cabin Gulfstream
Aircraft to its fleet. Jet Edge's rapid expansion provides
additional opportunities to match a Corporate Angel Network patient
with an empty leg.
David Duke, Jet Edge Director of Operations says, "We are proud
of our association with this worthy organization and encourage
other flight departments to follow suit by enrolling as well."
The Corporate Angel Network is an American non-profit charitable
organization whose mission is to arrange free air travel for cancer
patients to treatment centers, using the empty seats on corporate
aircraft. Operating from an office donated by the Westchester
County Airport in New York, the charity currently arranges around
2,500 flights per year and has provided nearly 27,000 flights since
their founding in 1981. More than 500 corporations are involved
with the network, including 56 of the top 100 in the Fortune
500.