CLEARWATER, Fla., Feb. 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avantair, Inc., (OTCBB:AAIR), the only publicly traded stand-alone private aircraft operator, is supporting Haiti relief efforts by donating planes, staff and flight hours to help bring supplies and medical aid to the country, which was recently devastated by an earthquake.
Avantair has assisted in two missions to facilitate bringing a medical team and supplies, including food, blankets and clothing, to those who have been uprooted by the massive earthquake. Nearly a month after the disaster, provisions are still in short supply and Avantair, along with the aid workers the company is sponsoring, is working to keep the Haitian relief efforts progressing.
"Some of our owners and companies that regularly partner with Avantair were closely affected by this tragedy and we're doing our best to support them during this difficult time," said Steven Santo, founder and CEO of Avantair. "We're contributing flight hours and pilots to help bring doctors, volunteers and supplies to the country and our owners are donating their own flight time to add to the contribution."
On February 9, Avantair carried a team of four Ocean Reef Club staff members from Key Largo, Fla., to Haiti, where they delivered packages containing rice, beans, cornmeal, canned meats, fruits and oil to family members of Ocean Reef employees, many of whom had lost homes and loved ones in the quake. The team distributed 150 packages in less than five days, and plans to return to Haiti within the next week to deliver as many as 200 more packages.
In addition to that flight, Avantair also made a holiday gift donation which included a plane and flight crew to Northern Lights Foundation, on behalf of Avantair-owner David Turock. The donation was used to fly a team of doctors and nurses from East Hampton, N.Y., to West Palm Beach, Fla., where they met additional medical staff for a coordinated trip to Haiti. A total of 16 doctors and nurses flew to the country where they performed a wide variety of surgeries and other medical procedures.
To date, Avantair's contributed flight hours for the Haitian relief effort have reached a total value of $24,000.
About Avantair
Avantair, the only publicly traded stand-alone private aircraft operator and the sole North American provider of fractional shares, flight time cards and Axis Club Membership in the Piaggio Avanti aircraft, is headquartered in Clearwater, FL, with approximately 450 employees. The Company offers private travel solutions for individuals and businesses traveling within its service area, which includes the continental United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, at a fraction of the cost of whole aircraft ownership. The Company currently manages a fleet of 55 aircraft, with another 53 Piaggio Avanti aircraft on order through 2013. For more information about Avantair, please visit: www.avantair.com.