United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) has operated humanitarian flights into Guam International after the US territory was battered by Typhoon Mawar late last week. The flights came as United CEO Scott Kirby expressed his concerns about the airline's 800 employees based on the island, as well as crews on layovers caught by the weather event.
The eye of Typhoon Mawar passed over Guam late on May 24, with the island's A.B. Won Pat International Airport recording winds of 114 kilometres per hour. The airport was closed to regular operations until May 29, but was allowing humanitarian and essential cargo flights in.
Via social media, Kirby said United Airlines had operated a humanitarian flight in from Manila Ninoy Aquino International on May 26 and sent a B777-300ER loaded with relief supplies, including plasma products, down to Guam from San Francisco. That flight, operated by N2138U (msn 62649), landed mid-afternoon on May 28.
"We are in the process of conducting wellness checks on nearly 800 employees based there, as well as with our layover crews," wrote Kirby. "At the same time, we’re focused on getting the help needed as quickly as possible. United is coordinating humanitarian efforts with American Red Cross and Airlink, Inc. to send essential supplies, first responders and cargo to Guam."
A spokesperson for Guam Airport said it re-opened to commercial flights at 1500L (0500Z) on May 29. "We are open, but we are still recovering to pre-typhoon levels," the spokesperson said.
