Charter flights & Larger commercial aircraft to Apia to help

[Davd D]

There are quite a few aircraft heading to Apia as we speak, I believe a chartered flight left BNE around 2am this morning full of nurses, doctors and other emergency staff.

Air New Zealand are sending a 777-200ER in today to carry extra supplies and to repatriate Kiwis.

I have been trying to find out what the chartered aircraft was that left BNE this morning but without success.

Any more info?

[Max C]

VH-NLK Left BNE just before 2am as ON900 to Apia.

Due back into BNE as ON901 via Nadi at 1.30pm

[Robert M]

Hawaiian Airlines operated a flight into PPG this afternoon carrying emergency supplies as well as volunteer employees, medical staff and US Coast Guard workers.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../90930048/1352

The airline is also matching donations from employees dollar for dollar in addition to a $10,000USD donation.

For the spotters out there the aircraft (N590HA) was in SYD last night and will be back in SYD tomorrow.

R

[Davd D]

So there is a C17 doing shuttle flights from Australia to the Island, two Herc also in the mix from Australia, one Australian and one New Zealand Herc running shuttles into Auckland and a New Zealand Orion doing search and rescue now based in APW.

Air New Zealand are sending a 767 up today with further supplies, if load warrants they will put on a 777 (or even a 747) like yesterday for the uplift.

NZ Airforce 757 is leaving today transporting support crews and supplies and tomorrow it will carry the Prime Minister and further supplies. It is expected that this aircraft like the others will continue shuttle flights to the region for some time to come.

Pacific Blue has announced special fares for families wanting to go to Samoa to support relatives and has wavered all charges for excess luggage. Virgin will begin to uplift blankets, pillows, sheets and food as well as any other donations that can be left at the check-in counters for the Apia flights on the day. They are welcoming donations from the general public and will uplift them on these flights.

[lloyd fox]

Lynden air Cargo C130 N403LC operated CNS-BNE-APW last night.

[Davd D]

Air New Zealand helping also:

30 September 2009
Air New Zealand has sent basic supplies to Samoa to help those who lost belongings in the tsunami.

General Manager of Airline Operations David Morgan says the Boeing 777-200 ER that left for Samoa this afternoon was stocked with several hundred blankets, more than 1000 t-shirts and basic amenity packs with items like toothbrushes and tooth paste from the airline's stores.

We are receiving regular reports of people turning up at the airport in Apia in as little as pyjamas and any small comfort we can give them as the aid effort gets underway is essential," Mr Morgan says.

Air New Zealand has also placed on a special flight today Friday 2 October operating as NZ1068, a 767.

[Mike W]

The Kiwis are certainly putting in the hard yards for the Samoans

[Gerard M]

Does anyone know what RAAF flights were run today to/from. One C-17 208 - ASY711 returned i think direct to Brisbane? Another one 207 - ASY712 is around Richmond at the moment. Anyone able to confirm these for me?

Thanks

For the spotters out there the aircraft (N590HA) was in SYD last night and will be back in SYD tomorrow.

N590HA tonight is coming up at HA451 arriving at 720p and N588HA is coming up as flight HA6311 arriving a short time later.

The United States, Australia and New Zealand sent in supplies and troops, including a U.S. Navy frigate carrying two helicopters that will be used in search-and-rescue efforts. The Hawai'i Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force flew three cargo planes to American Samoa that carried 100 Navy and Army guard personnel and reservists.

[Alex G]

Apparently NLK got there before any Aussie Defence aircraft.

Nice to see that our government is quick to respond.......

[Mark Grima]

I am under the impression that NLK had doctors on board from a range of hospitals around the nation that assembled through out the day in BNE. I heard the first RAAF aircraft (C17???) departed RAAF Richmond about 5 hours after NLK with supplies on board.

I would think that supplies such as food, water, clothing, bulk medical supplies and what ever else would of been on board would take longer to compile then the human resources on board NLK. An aid flight departing with 24 hours is not to bad.

What does seem to be taking some time (considering the travel time) is HMAS Kanimbla only leaving Sydney today for Indonesia.

Cheers

M