Air Canada provides rescue flights

[Rebel]

Air Canada provides rescue flights to evacuate New Orleans; launches in-flight donations program for victims

MONTREAL, Sept. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - In response to a request from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security, Air Canada is participating along with U.S.
member airlines of the Air Transport Association, in a voluntary airline
industry initiative to support rescue and relief operations in the region
ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Air Canada today dispatched an Airbus A321 aircraft from Toronto to New
Orleans, Louisiana, carrying bottled water and relief supplies. As part of the
disaster relief effort organized by the Department of Homeland Security, Air
Canada will operate shuttle flights on a continuous basis over the next
several days to assist in the evacuation of approximately 25,000 victims, from
New Orleans to the safety of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas.
Since Air Canada received the request for assistance yesterday evening
from the Air Transport Association, of which it is a member, Air Canada
employees worked around the clock to prepare and dispatch the donated aircraft
and voluntary crew for the shuttle mission. The Air Canada Airbus A321 is the
largest narrow-body aircraft in its fleet, capable of carrying up to 166
passengers and 5,600 kg of cargo.
"On behalf of the more than 30,000 employees of Air Canada and the entire
ACE group of companies, I want to express our sadness and extend our
condolences to those affected by this terrible catastrophe," said Robert
Milton, Chairman, President and CEO of ACE Aviation Holdings, on board the
first flight as it departed Toronto today at 1:00 p.m. en route to New
Orleans. "Air Canada is proud to represent Canada in this relief effort and
contribute to help those in greatest need, as quickly as possible."
In addition, Air Canada today announced a partnership with the Canadian
Red Cross to help raise funds to assist people affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Beginning as early as Saturday September 3, 2005, Air Canada and Air Canada
Jazz flight attendants will distribute and collect Red Cross donation
envelopes on flights across its North American network in Canada and the U.S.



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[learcapt]

Very, very nice to hear we are doing our part to help in a terrible disaster.

take care all

[split s]

Yes, very nice to hear AC doing their part. You may hear people bitch about them spending money on a horrible singer but, will never hear bad press about doing something as important as helping others in dire need!