FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Thanks to the efforts of more than 7,800 AAdvantage members, more than $835,000 has been donated to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief since Jan. 14.
American is collaborating with the American Red Cross to provide aid to earthquake victims. AAdvantage members can earn a one-time award of 250 bonus AAdvantage miles for a minimum donation of $50 or 500 bonus miles for a donation of $100 or more to the American Red Cross through Feb. 28, 2010. Donate now at http://www.aa.com/DisasterRelief.
Since Jan. 13, a day after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, American Airlines and American Eagle have transported more than 125,000 pounds of aid into Haiti. The airlines continue to work with charitable organizations and U.S. officials to transport relief workers and supplies.
To date, American Airlines and American Eagle have flown 12 relief missions working with organizations such as Airline Ambassadors, American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Bayfront Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the Haiti Consulate, Love a Child, Miami Dade College Physicians, Missionaries of Charity-Mother Theresa Order, Northshore Medical Center in Miami, Parkview Medical Center in Hallandale Beach, Fla., Share your Soles, Tree of Life Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, St. Joseph Hospice in Jacksonville, Fla., Yele Haiti, Medishare and Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. The flights have transported medical personnel and relief workers and humanitarian supplies, including bottled water, food, medicine and other non-perishable goods.
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, American began flying relief missions from its hub in Miami using Boeing 737 aircraft. On its first mission, American evacuated 137 people. American also flew a mission for the U.S. Department of Defense from Miami using a Boeing 767 aircraft, ferrying military personnel and other government officials into Haiti. On this flight, American evacuated 179 people. Evacuees transported out of Haiti are determined by the U.S. State Department.
American Eagle continues to fly ATR-72 aircraft with relief supplies to Haiti from its San Juan, Puerto Rico, hub. During the first week following the earthquake, a total of eight American Eagle flights arrived in Port-au-Price providing 80,000 pounds of aid.
"Our hearts go out to our friends, family, co-workers and all people affected by this catastrophic earthquake," said Peter Dolara, American's Senior Vice President - Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. "It is extremely gratifying to see how our employees and customers have come together to help provide much-needed assistance to the people of Haiti. We will continue to do whatever we can to help."
Employees from both American and Eagle have already set in motion additional efforts to aid earthquake victims by raising funds and providing assistance in many different ways, including:
-- In just a week, American's 16 Employee Resource Groups, which reflect a wide range of communities within American's diverse employee population, raised more than $8,500 through a variety of activities. -- American and American Eagle employees at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport held bake sales, a Caribbean food sale, and other fundraising activities and raised $20,000. -- All money raised in January through American's "Champions for Children" program will be donated to Haiti relief efforts. Flight Attendants and Admirals Club employees who participate in the Champions for Children program ask customers to donate their unused foreign or domestic currency. Donations can be made on select American flights or in the airline's Admirals Clubs and Flagship Lounges worldwide. The Champions for Children volunteers support the UNICEF Change for Good® program at AA, a program that has raised more $60 million worldwide since its inception. -- More than 350 American and American Eagle employees will help staff phones at American's Southern Reservations Office during the star-studded "Relief for Haiti Now" telethon scheduled for tonight. Celebrities such as George Clooney, Wyclef Jean, Anderson Cooper and Bono will appear on the telethon, which will raise money for Haiti relief efforts.
Due to the earthquake, American Airlines is offering customers the convenience to change their plans. Customers ticketed to travel on AA flights to or from the areas listed may change flights as shown without penalty. Operations have been canceled through at least Feb. 1, possibly longer. It has not been determined when American will be allowed to resume scheduled operations.
The relief flights are not part of American's normal commercial operations and tickets cannot be offered for sale. Any evacuees transported out of Haiti will be determined by the U.S. State Department.
And your If you are ticket was You may begin traveling to or On the following issued no travel as late from: dates: later than: as: Jan. 14 - Feb. 28, Port-au-Prince, 2010 Jan. 21, 2010 Feb. 28, 2010 Haiti (PAP)
One ticketed change is allowed without penalty. To change travel dates or for questions regarding refunds or destination changes, contact our Reservations personnel at 1-800-433-7300 within the United States or Canada. If you are calling from outside the United States or Canada, please check our Worldwide Reservations Numbers page for Reservations.
About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.
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