Operates Flights Delivering 2.7 Million Pounds Of Cargo To Support Ongoing Efforts And Restore Basic Necessities To Island's Residents

National Airlines' 747-400 freighter fleet has operated 13 flights transporting 2.7 million pounds of much needed aid to Puerto Rico and quickly deliver goods to areas most devastated by Hurricane Maria.  In addition, the Company operated a flight that transported more than 200 stranded cruise ship passengers on its 757-200 on a relief flight from Miami to San Juan.

Seven of the cargo relief flights – six originating in Dallas, Texas, and one in Atlanta, Georgia – carried more than 1.5 million pounds of food and supplies to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, a tourist town of nearly 60,000 on the western coast of Puerto Rico that was ravaged by Hurricane Maria's Category 5 storm surge that buried much of the commonwealth.  San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, has received the bulk of aid supplies from private and governmental organizations, secondary cities like Aguadilla remain in states of emergency and are in desperate need of supplies.

"National Airlines has tirelessly supported Americans at home and abroad for nearly 20 years," noted Christopher Alf, Chairman and CEO.  "In the case of Puerto Rico, National was able to mobilize quickly and efficiently to deliver massive amounts of necessary supplies to the island, and hopefully in the process, save lives."

It is currently reported that only 20% of Puerto Rico has access to power and only 50% to clean drinking water.  As part of the effort to quickly restore basic necessities to the country's 3.4 million citizens, National delivered 1.2 million pounds of supplies to San Juan.  Originating in Miami, National delivered to San Juan trucks and other equipment necessary to restore power and phone access to the island, where many citizens remain unable to access mobile or landline telephone service.

"As a Company based in Florida, National Airlines is familiar with extreme weather and well equipped to handle emergency situations," said Mr. Alf.  "We are proud of our employees for their swift response and call to action, and their resilience following Hurricane Irma to help others in need."

National's relief efforts to support Puerto Rico remain ongoing.  The Company remains committed to supporting those in need and will continue to provide logistics and transportation support to those affected by natural disasters around the world.

(Source: National Airlines news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.nationalairlines.com