Relief Supplies Flown In After The Devastating Wildfires Affecting Maui

Over the last week and a half, airlines have been an integral part of the humanitarian operations on the island.

To aid with the evacuation, airlines increased services in the days after the fire, even to locations outside of their typical coverage area. Transportation by air has also been crucial in getting aid personnel to the affected regions.

The state's main airline, Hawaiian Airlines, has provided more than 4,000 free tickets to relief workers and residents of the Maui area, contributing more than $600,000.

Hawaiian also reported that its aircraft sent 54,000 pounds of emergency supplies to Maui in the first six days following the accident. This included everything from communications devices and animal cages to blood donations and healthcare equipment. The airline also increased their support for regional food pantries by providing $150,000.

More than 17,000 people were evacuated from Maui's Kahului Airport in the first 72 hours following the fire, and Hawaiian Airlines offered evacuation flights at discounted tickets of as little as $19.

The five other major airlines that regularly visit Maui are Southwest, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta, all of which have made similar efforts.

The second biggest airline on Maui, Southwest Airlines, said it had provided more than $100,000 in cash and plane tickets immediately after the fire onset. The company has also coordinated with local authorities to offer free transportation for volunteer fire fighters and shipped essential supplies.

Additionally, it will increase its Pacific and Hawaiian routes. The carrier promised to keep working with partners to help in long-term recovery operations.

Rescue flights from Maui to Honolulu were provided by Alaska Airlines, which does not often fly inside Hawaii, following the flames. Food, water, blankets, diapers, and other necessities were sent to Maui from the airline's Seattle cargo facility via special cargo-only aircraft. Alaska reported having delivered 189,000 pounds of assistance to Lahaina fire survivors.

American Airlines also increased cap of some of its planes and offered additional service to and from Maui. Emergency supplies have been loaded onto arriving planes, the airline said.

Delta has contributed $250,000 to the Red Cross for fire assistance in Maui.

United's aid efforts for Maui have continued this week; the airline sent in 24,000 pounds of provisions from Chicago. More than 12,000 people were evacuated from Maui by United following the fire, with many of these flights made possible by planes that had flown onto the island empty for the express purpose of providing disaster assistance. The airline also increased its capacity from Honolulu to the continental United States following the hurricane.

The western Maui flames have claimed the lives of at least 114 individuals, and over a thousand others are still missing. Losses are expected to total over $6 billion, with state authorities citing roughly 3,000 destroyed or damaged houses and businesses.

 

Source: travelweekly.com