Secret Flying Spotlight: Air Charity Network & Air Care Alliance

For those who need medical treatments or who are trying to escape domestic violence, transportation would be low on their priority list in an ideal world. However, in the real world it can cost thousands of dollars just to travel one way on a domestic flight. This money is in addition to the medical and/or relocation costs that can add up very quickly.

The Air Charity Network aims to help individuals travel to the places they need to be in order to save or enhance their lives.

More of a group of different air travel charitable organizations, the Air Charity Network umbrella covers 8 different regional groups serving all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, as well as The Bahamas. These groups coordinate flights both within their region and outside of it, offering free transportation to those who need it the most.

According to ACN, there are about 190,000 need-based medical and domestic violence situations that require the use of special long-haul air voyages annually. Currently, only about 20,000 trips are covered by charitable organizations, mainly due to a lack of funding and the limited number of volunteer pilots.

In addition to the ACN, the Air Care Alliance also provides free air transportation to those in need when insurance will not cover the cost of air ambulance or conventional transportation costs. Their mission is to do everything they can to prevent a financial need from inhibiting the fulfillment of a medical need.

Since its founding in 1991, the Air Care Alliance has worked to connect public benefit flying groups with those who require their services. With over 70 members, they cover the entire U.S. with aircraft for those who need transportation for routine treatment as well as air ambulance services for those with a pressing need.

Both groups also use their resources to help out after natural disasters, helping to bring supplies in and victims out.

This article first appeared on secretflying.com