By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL
Freeport News Reporter
krystal@nasguard.com
Executives from Sky Bahamas Airlines joined with a number of churches, civic and business organizations to bring much-needed relief to survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.
The group of 14 persons travelled to Port-au-Prince on Wednesday on a 33-seater aircraft stuffed with boxes of food, water and medical supplies. They left Nassau at about 7:20 a.m. and returned at approximately 2 p.m.
This was the company's second humanitarian flight to Haiti since the earthquake occurred on Tuesday, January 11.
Sky Bahamas Airlines' President K. Peter Turnquest, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, yesterday explained that the goods were delivered to a church-based group in Haiti that will be responsible for distributing them to those in need.
"It really was a very good experience to be able to offer some assistance to people at this time. The people that we met were incredibly appreciative of the gifts that we gave them and they were very vocal about that," he said.
The company had to go through a somewhat complicated process with the United States military, who has taken charge of the airport, in order to gain access to the city via the airport, he furthered. The aircraft was allotted a time of 20 minutes to be on the ground after landing and was directed to park on a strip of grass off the runway.
"In our case, once we got there we had no difficulties. We came right in, we offloaded, we were able to then go into the terminal. Some of us went to the front of the terminal and out there you could see some of the destruction. You could see some damage and you could look at the people. There were crowds of people lined off in front of the airport," he said.
One of the persons on the trip was a missionary that remained in Haiti. Another was a young woman who went to rescue her mother and bring her to The Bahamas.
"When we walked out of the terminal, all of a sudden there was a commotion and this lady was shouting, 'Thank you Bahamas! You saved my life!" he shared.
"Then her daughter just took off running and they were crying and having this really emotional reunion. It was really, really touching and I think more than anything that was worth the trip because you really felt good for them."
Turnquest explained that the group was also supposed to bring back a family of five Bahamians who were stranded in Haiti.
"Unfortunately there was a mix-up as to where we were going to park and the Bahamian consulate had them at the general aviation section of the airport while we were at the international section," he said, adding that after several unsuccessful searches they were forced to leave without them.
"Unfortunately we were at the end of our slot time. In fact we were over our time. We were supposed to be there for 20 minutes but we actually stayed on the ground for an hour and a half."
They later learned that the family is sleeping outside while trying to arrange another way to return.
In addition to the trip, Sky Bahamas also assisted in the relief efforts for Haiti by hosting Haiti Day on Wed-nesday, whereby $5 from every round trip ticket sold for travel on that day was donated.
"That was tremendously successful. I think people appreciated what we were doing and they demonstrated that. We also got donations from other people who came forward and said they're giving this to defray the cost of the flights that you've done and are doing. So that's been very, very supportive and encouraging."
Turnquest made an appeal to the community to continue to donate to the cause, being mindful of which organization they give to.
"There are a number of groups making appeals for donations and we want to be sure that the money in particular that you give these organizations are actually going to get to the people who need it and so I would encourage people to donate to organizations that you know and that have a track record of delivering supplies and monies to the better good of those in need," he said.
Sky Bahamas is planning another humanitarian flight to Haiti sometime next week.
