Spirit to offer $1 million in free flights from Oahu to the Neighbour Islands for Hospital Patients and Doctors
Wing Spirit HondaJet fleet
Honolulu, 16 April 2020: Wing Spirit, operator of Hawaii’s new private air charter and air ambulance service, will offer free return flights home to the neighbour islands for patients receiving treatment on Oahu as well as for physicians and medical staff traveling to work at health care facilities on other islands.
The program, called the Medical Travel Relief Program or “MED-TRIP”, extends April 16 through April 30, 2020and will feature the use of four brand new state-of-the art aircraft, the HondaJet Elite. Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Kaiser are coordinating partners in the program. Eligible patients and medical staff must coordinate with these hospitals. Patients who may not normally be able to fly commercially will be able to utilise Wing Spirit’s medically equipped air ambulance plane or its private aircraft for a safer, more comfortable, and faster transportation experience.
The program is envisioned to help improve hospital bed capacity amid increased demand from COVID-19 by streamlining the patient discharge process. It will also allow physicians to travel to the neighbour islands with more flexibility given the reduction in the number of commercial flights between the islands. The program has an anticipated value of roughly $1 million, fully funded by Wing Spirit, Inc.
“At Wing Spirit, we’re deeply committed to serving the community and this is a meaningful way for us to give back,” said Dawn Guillermo, vice president of Wing Spirit’s air ambulance service. “In a small way, we hope to help those who need support when they need it most.”
Lieutenant Governor Josh Green has been engaged in discussions with Wing Spirit to help establish the program.
“This is a significant charitable contribution by Wing Spirit and the state is truly grateful,” said Lieutenant Governor Green. “Hawaii’s medical service providers and medically fragile patients need all the help we can give during this challenging period.”
