NBAA is coordinating with the Red Cross, federal agencies and volunteer aviation relief groups regarding relief efforts when areas affected by now-Tropical Storm Harvey are again made accessible. The association’s Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database allows member companies to submit aircraft, personnel and other available assets to be shared with relief organizations.
“Business aviation has always provided critical support for natural disaster relief efforts, and I know our industry will respond in this time of need as well,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.
The association noted that business aviation has long served as a lifeline to people and communities in crisis. “That’s because business aircraft can reach locations affected by natural disasters, when airliners and sometimes even automobiles cannot,” it said. “Business aircraft can operate on short notice into outlying airports with small runways, and sometimes unpaved airstrips, or even onto roads; they are uniquely suited to providing a first response to natural disasters and other emergencies.”