MISSISSAUGA, ONT. (Jan. 18, 2010) – Tomorrow morning a WestJet flight is headed to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, bringing vital medical supplies for earthquake ravaged Haiti.

WestJet has donated a chartered flight to Port-au-Prince which will be loaded with $200,000 worth of medical supplies. These supplies will be immediately distributed by World Vision in Haiti. World Vision has already been providing supplies to 11 hospitals and medical centres in Port-au-Prince. These new supplies will be vital to treating the thousands injured by last Tuesday’s earthquake.

“The earthquake in Haiti has shown the incredible capacity of Canadians to do everything they can when children and families are suffering,” says Michael Messenger, vice-president of Public Affairs at World Vision. “WestJet’s donation of this flight is a wonderful example of partnership and giving.”

"We are honoured to be working with World Vision on this important flight to help the people of Haiti in their time of desperate need," says Robert Palmer, manager of public relations for WestJet. "As WestJetters, we care deeply for our community and we are pleased to donate this aircraft to transport critical aid supplies to help Haitians deal with this horrific tragedy."

In addition to WestJet’s donation of a flight, the Greater Toronto Airport Authority has waived its terminal fees for the flight. Swissport, who handled loading of the aircraft has also waived its fees.

Since Sunday, three other airlifts of World Vision supplies have been shipped from CFB Trenton including mosquito nets, blankets and tarpaulins. Many more are planned.

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• World Vision donors support more than 52,000 children in Haiti, including almost 10,000 sponsored by Canadians.
• World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
• WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 67-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 86 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 49 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

To interview World Vision staff or for more information or visuals, please contact:

Yoko Kobayashi
905-565-6200 ext. 2151
416-671-0086 (cell)
yoko_kobayashi@WorldVision.ca

Britt Hamilton
905-565-6200 ext. 3973
416-419-1321 (cell)
britt_hamilton@worldvision.ca

Robert Palmer
ropalmer@westjet.com