LAN sponsors humanitarian mission to earthquake-ravaged region in Peru

MIAMI, FL – For the second time in 2008, LAN Airlines, South America’s leading airline, is working with its partner Break Away: The Alternative Break Connection, to send students from the US on a huma

MIAMI, FL – For the second time in 2008, LAN Airlines, South America’s leading airline, is working with its partner Break Away: The Alternative Break Connection, to send students from the US on a humanitarian trip to South America this week. As part of an ongoing commitment by LAN to help communities in need in its home territory, on September 25th the airline flew students from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles to Chincha, Peru, where they joined “Un Techo Para Mi Pais” (A Roof for my Country) in helping local residents who are still recovering from the deadly earthquake that struck in 2007 in the construction of houses with materials that have been donated by LAN. In Peru, LAN has donated materials for a total of 200 houses which have been built by LAN Peru volunteers throughout the year.

“Our first student trip with Break Away in May of this year was a resounding success,” said Pablo Yunis, vice president North/Central America, LAN Airlines. “The group, who joined 100 employees of our affiliate, LAN Argentina, and the local chapter of ‘Un Techo Para Mi Pais,’ built over 50 homes in five days in Argentina. We know our colleagues in the region were impressed by the students’ poise and eagerness to help. For LAN and its affiliates, it is a pleasure to be part of a program that facilitates the exchange of ideas and good will, especially during a time when such cooperation is needed the most.”

LAN Airlines provided air transportation for the students while Break Away worked with Loyola Marymount University to design an itinerary that maximized the impact of the students’ visit to the host communities.

Throughout the year, LAN Airlines and its affiliates – LAN Peru, LAN Ecuador and LAN Argentina – with the assistance of Break Away, will bring students to Argentina, Peru, Chile and Ecuador.

The partnership with Break Away, which includes four student trips per year to South America from LAN hubs in the US (Miami, Los Angeles and New York), is now a fundamental component of LAN Airlines’ corporate social responsibility platform that was introduced this year as part of the airline’s 50th Anniversary of service between the US and South America. The program is focused on addressing the most pressing issues of housing, healthcare and education in the region.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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