Business aviation companies in the Caribbean, Florida and neighboring regions have been hit hard by category five Hurricane Irma as the storms rips through the areas.
Luxaviation, which operates an FBO on the Caribbean island of St Maarten, reported that the hurricane had left a devastating impact on the region and its aviation facilities. The company has set up a fundraising page to generate donations to support their colleagues and others on the island. To donate, click here.
Sheltair, a privately-owned business aviation company, has implemented its post-hurricane recovery plan to assist aircraft inbound seeking to bring assistance to various parts of Florida that have been damaged by the catastrophic storm. Sheltair earlier activated its hurricane response plan with the suspension of its FBO services at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Tampa and Savannah.
“We have consistently planned for disasters of this scope and we are ready to assist those arriving aircraft when Irma pulls away,” explained Sheltair’s chairman, CEO and founder, Jerry Holland.
As part of its emergency response plan, all non-essential Sheltair personnel are being sent home to be with their evacuated families. Updates to the situation will be posted on the company’s website, www.sheltairaviation.com and social media platforms.
Private jet charter company Xojet reported that there was a surge in demand for private jet flights ahead of Hurricane Irma hitting Florida as people tried to escape the area.
Hurricane Irma has now been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, but is still causing great damage as it passes through Florida and continues north. NBAA is encouraging people and companies to use its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database to collect volunteered aircraft assets and individual volunteers to share with relief organizations in the wake of the natural disaster.
