Hope Air

Hope Air logo

Hope Air is a Canadian charity that organizes free non-emergency medical flights for patients in financial need. The organization was founded in 1986, and has provided over 93,000 flights as of 2015-04-25.[1] Since 2011, the charity's patron has been Canadian Governor General David Johnston. [2] Also in 2011, Canadian comedian Rick Mercer became the charity's honorary patron [3] Airlines donating seats include Bearskin Airlines, WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Porter Airlines, Hawkair, and Delta Air Lines.[4]

Hope Air's mission is to arrange free flights for Canadians who are in financial need and must travel to health care.[5] The charity arranges free flights for low income Canadians who have to travel long distances to receive health care that is not available in their home community. Types of appointments include assessments, treatment appointments, diagnostic, surgeries and follow ups. [6]

History

Hope Air charity patron David Johnston

Hope Air was founded in 1986 by Joan Rogers and Jinnie Bradshaw under the name Mission Air Transportation Network. In the early years, corporations signed up with Mission Air to use their planes. However, soon after launching Mission Air attracted commercial airlines, with over 90 per cent of flights taking place through airline partners currently.

By 1993 the organization had provided over 10,000 flights. [7]

In 1999 Mission Air changed its name to the current Hope Air. Also in 1999, Hope Air began to partner with private pilots who began flying Hope Air clients on their aircraft, known as Volunteer Pilots.

In 2011 Hope Air provided its 66,000 flight. In 2013 the organization provided over 7,000 flights [8] and surpassed 85,000 total flights provided in mid-2014.

How Hope Air Works

Hope Air provides flights under four main flight programs: Commercial airline donation, flight purchase program, volunteer pilot program and the business aviation registry. The charity has a number of funding streams, including donations by individuals, foundations and corporations. A number of Canadian airlines provide in-kind donations of seats on scheduled flights.

The Commercial Airline Donation Program is based on partnerships with various Canadian airlines. The airlines donate seats on flights to Hope Air clients. In these cases the charity covers the cost of taxes and regular fees associated with airline tickets, while commercial airlines provide flight tickets.

The Flight Purchase Program entails Hope Air purchasing seats on commercial flights for Hope Air clients.

The Volunteer Pilot Program partners with private pilots who use their aircraft to fly Hope Air clients to medical appointments.

The Business Aviation Program is the newest flight program under which Hope Air operates. Through this program, corporate aircraft owners and operators in Canada provide public benefit flights to clients. The Business Aviation Program was launched in mid-2014 after the Canadian Transportation Agency determined that Hope Air was not an "air service" and subsequently removed restrictions which previously limited the charity's ability to provide flights on private aircraft [9]

References

  1. ↑ http://hopeair.ca/ Retrieved on 2015-04-29.
  2. ↑ http://www.hopeair.org/news/ViewMedia.aspx?MediaPDF=18 Retrieved on 2014-05-12.
  3. ↑ http://www.hopeair.org/news/ViewMedia.aspx?MediaPDF=10 Retrieved on 2014-05-12.
  4. ↑ http://hopeair.org/supporters/CommercialAirlines.aspx Retrieved on 2014-05-12.
  5. ↑ http://hopeair.ca/wwd/WhatWeDo.aspx Retrieved 2014-08-05
  6. ↑ http://hopeair.ca/wwd/HowHopeAirHelps.aspx Retrieved 2014-08-05
  7. ↑ http://hopeair.ca/wwd/HAAnniversaryBro.pdf Retrieved 2014-08-05
  8. ↑ http://hopeair.ca/news/ViewMedia.aspx?MediaPDF=58 Retrieved 2014-08-05
  9. ↑ https://www.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/ruling/129-a-2014 Retrieved 2014-08-12

External links