Boeing

Boeing, AmeriCares Deliver Earthquake Relief Supplies to Santiago

SEATTLE, March 19, 2010 – A loaned BBJ Convertible will be filled with more than 11,500 pounds of supplies this weekend as part of a relief mission to Chile arranged by Boeing Business Jets [NYSE: BA] and AmeriCares. Earlier this week, AmeriCares trucked the supplies from Connecticut to Dallas.

Peregrine Point reconfigured its BBJ Convertible from its all-passenger mode to all-cargo to make room for the supplies. The airplane is scheduled to leave Dallas Sunday and arrive in Santiago Monday.

After the supplies are unloaded, the BBJ Convertible will be staged as part of the static display for the FIDAE air show, Latin America's largest aerospace, defense and technology event.

Stephen Taylor, president of Boeing Business Jets, will fly aboard the BBJ C to oversee unloading in Santiago to FEDES (Fundación Educativa para el Desarrollo Económico y Social). 

“We are honored that so many organizations have offered to help deliver these much needed supplies to two of the hardest hit regions in Chile,” said Taylor. Chile has been hit with numerous severe aftershocks since a devastating major quake struck the region on Feb. 27.

Onboard the airplane are medical supplies, including bandages and masks to protect against dust and debris; personal hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, chap stick and diapers; as well as flashlights and water containers to carry safe drinking water.

“AmeriCares partnership with Boeing is instrumental in delivering aid to people in need after a disaster,” said Christoph Gorder, vice president of Emergency Response for AmeriCares. “This shipment will carry basic medical supplies and personal hygiene items which are in very high demand in Chile; and are essential for improving the quality of life for Chileans trying to recover from the earthquake. They will keep families healthy as they rebuild their homes and their lives.”

AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization which delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $9 billion in humanitarian aid.

FEDES is a nonprofit organization focusing on the promotion of human development and the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Media who are interested in attending the relief flight landing and unloading at Santiago International Airport (Los Cerrillos) Monday, may contact Boeing Public Relations below for details. The flight is currently scheduled to arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. local time.

# # #

Contact:
Vicki Ray
Boeing Business Jets
+1 206-852-3319
vicki.l.ray@boeing.com

Nicolaas Groeneveld-Meijer
Boeing International and Sales
+1 206-228-4527
Nicolaas.W.Groeneveld-Meijer@boeing.com

Peggy Atherlay
AmeriCares
+1 203-278-9920
patherlay@AmeriCares.org