Aer Lingus set to fly out aid and medical personnel

AER LINGUS will fly medical personnel and much needed aid to the survivors of the earthquake.

The airline will fly an A330 aircraft directly from Dublin to La Romana airport in the Dominican Republic on Friday carrying much needed emergency medical and food supplies.

The decision to fly into La Romana airport instead of Port Au Prince was taken due to safety concerns after yesterday’s aftershock.

The Aer Lingus mission, which is being implemented in co-operation with the Irish aid agency, GOAL, will also carry 15 doctors and volunteers to Haiti.

Over 25 tonnes of aid will be carried by the plane that will leave Dublin airport at 1 pm on Friday, arriving in the Dominican Republic at 7 pm local time. It will be on the ground there for two hours to unload before returning to Dublin.

Arrangements have been made with GOAL representatives in Haiti to ensure that, once unloaded, the supplies will get to those who need them as quickly as possible.

“It is a significant achievement for Aer Lingus to be able to organise this flight in such a short time and to be able to mobilise teams in operations, cargo, planning, flight and cabin crew to make this a reality. In addition to all crews and operations employees volunteering their time, all airport and navigational charges have been waived by both the DAA and the IAA respectively in order to facilitate this mission. Aer Lingus sincerely thanks these organisations for their co-operation,” a spokesperson for the company said.

Commenting on the move, GOAL’S John O’Shea said the charity was grateful to Aer Lingus. “Because of its size, we’re able to bring a considerable quantity of supplies and aid (25 tonnes) and GOALIES who are desperately needed in this theatre of operations.”