Sept. 23, 2019
The clean-up from Hurricane Dorian will continue in the coming weeks and months, and as it does in the aftermath of any disaster, the business aviation community plays an important role in rebuilding efforts.
“We were on the ground at Treasure Cay [MYAT] and Marsh Harbour [MYAM] almost as soon as the storm pulled away and it was safe to fly,” said Marianne Stevenson, founder and CEO of AERObridge. “We sent in team members to set up coordinated distribution on the ground, so that supplies coming in actually made it where they were most needed.”
More than 325 volunteer AERObridge pilots made flights to the affected islands, relocating 175 individuals, bringing in doctors and other medical personnel, and carrying 520,000 pounds of supplies. “We can activate our pilots and supplies in advance, thereby helping to save lives when minutes matter the most,” said Stevenson.
Although large ships and commercial aircraft are now bringing in materials for rebuilding, AERObridge pilots are still flying missions as needed, often bringing medicine and responding to specific needs.
The Florida Aviation Business Association (FABA) recently sent an alert notifying pilots and others in the aviation community warning that some Florida FBOs are completely full and have no more space for certain supplies. FABA encourages those interested in helping with hurricane relief to contact FBOs directly, as some are still fundraising to cover the cost of fuel and other flight necessities. Many FBOs are offering fuel discounts and waiving some fees for relief flights as well. Review a message from FABA.
Some FBOs – such as the Atlantic Aviation facilities at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Boca Raton Airport (BCT), Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) and Witham Field (SUA) – are accepting donations needed most urgently now, including: cleaning supplies, baby supplies, hygiene kits, medical supplies, bedding, pet supplies and building supplies.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.