Companies from business aviation are bringing first-responder relief to victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas.
Companies from the private aviation industry are leading the surge of first responders in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.
The National Business Aviation Association led the activation of its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator Database, known as HERO.
The storm crossed Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane.
It has caused widespread damage in Haiti, Cuba, and parts of the Bahamas.
HERO is a database of the business aviation community, including individuals and companies involved in disaster response mobilization efforts.
The industry trade group said organizations such as Operation Air Drop, AERObridge, Airlink, and others are accepting donations from the business aviation community to assist with current and future relief efforts.
NBAA Senior Vice President Doug Carr noted the critical role of business aviation in providing supplies, medical support, and rescue services before commercial aviation can restore operations.
Disaster response organization Samaritan’s Purse flew 38,000 lbs of supplies, including shelter tarps, solar lights, medical supplies, and water filtration systems, on board its Boeing 757 into Kingston.
Reports from Jamaica are that Montego Bay Airport sustained significant damage.
Aviation Week reports Chapman Freeborn has already contracted an “array of aircraft from small regional jets to airliners and larger helicopters for in-country surveillance, the company said. It also has access to Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft and helicopters to reach remote or inaccessible areas where conventional runways may be damaged.”
Air Charter Service is conducting multiple evacuation and relief flights across Jamaica for commercial, private, and governmental clients.
It added, “We are closely monitoring airport operations to ensure we can respond swiftly as the situation evolves.”
Air Charter Service is also providing updates on airport availablity in Jamaica.
As of 2 pm GMT today, Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport has resumed operations, including commercial flights.
However, there is no warehousing available.
That means direct pickup/offload is required.
Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is open for relief flights.
Limited commercial flights are expected to resume today.
The airport has sustained some damage, and several gates remain out of service.
Ocho Rios/Boscobel and Saint Margarets Bay have resumed operations with limitations.
Business aviation is usually at the forefront of bringing life-saving resources to disaster victims.
The rescue efforts span the world, including the 2019 floods, which cut off towns in Nebraska, to the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti.
Business aircraft are used for around 15,000 relief flights each year, according to advocacy group Climbing Fast.
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