American Airlines Commitment to Haiti
By: Mike Bruny, Sr. Contributing Writer
When an earthquake devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010, American Airlines was the first on the scene. The first flight landed the next day, and in the following weeks, American Airlines and their American Eagle Network flew 30 missions into Haiti. These missions transported relief workers, medical personnel, and more than 400,000 pounds of humanitarian aid, while evacuating more than 700 people. These special relief flights, which were not a part of normal passenger operations, were coordinated in conjunction with relief organizations including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Yelé Haiti and Airline Ambassadors International.
On Feb. 19, 2010, a little over a month later, American Airlines flew the first commercial passenger flight into Haiti following the earthquake. In the month following the earthquake, the airline worked with a construction firm to help rebuild Haiti's airport.
It has been close to two years since the tragic earthquake. The people and country are still recovering, and American Airlines is still helping. American Airlines recently celebrated their fortieth year of service in Haiti, and are involved with the Haitian community in Boston. "We wanted to get a first-hand look so we could have a better understanding of what our employees in Haiti and the communities we serve in Boston are going through," said Charlie Schewe, regional manager for passenger sales in the Northeast and Canada region.
Five executives from the American Airline Boston team recently flew to Haiti. The Boston representatives on this trip were: Charlie Schewe, Regional Manager of Passenger Sales, (NEC) Northeast & Canada Division, Ralph Lopez, General Manager of Airport Services & Operations- Boston, Frank Schultz, Manager of Flight Service Operations, Flight Services Boston, Lynor Carroll, Corporate Account Sales Manager of (NEC) Northeast & Canada Division, and Matt Pawlyk, Customer Service Manager of Boston Passenger Services.
What they encountered on that trip changed the way they look at life and the company they work for. The Boston delegates were supposed to be the ones giving in this situation. What they didn’t expect is that they would be receiving so much. Ralph Lopez shared, "I have a new sense of pride in American Airlines. To see how the people came to work and represented American Airlines, despite their personal situation, was inspirational." Ralph has the most experience with Haiti, having visited the country several times before the earthquake.
It was unanimous: the people, their pride, and their resilience were most memorable aspects of the trip to Haiti.
Lynor Carroll, who works closely with the Haitian community in Boston, said of her experience visiting Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake, "Every nook and cranny and every street corner, everybody was selling goods, but the reality of where they were living in rubble and complete disaster; my question was, 'who are they selling these goods to?' The answer was; if they came every day and if they just sell one thing a month, it's their hope, it's what keeps them alive, it's what keeps them going to just continue moving on and moving forward; that alone describes the resilience and the pride that these people have. You just don't see that here. It's just amazing."
What can you expect from the Boston delegates of American Airlines? They can take their first-hand perspective and their new contacts in Haiti to better serve the Haitian community in their backyard. They have no specific plans yet, but they have definitely collected information that will make their next move an informed one.
Their efforts are appreciated, and Ethnic Online looks forward to seeing the labor of Boston American Airlines representatives, put forth on the ground in Haiti, bear fruit.
Thank you, American Airlines, for being a good global citizen.
