American Airlines employees can send supplies to family in Puerto Rico

FORT WORTH, Texas - Forth Worth-based American Airlines is doing its part to help people in Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Maria.

The airline said in a press release that it is allowing its employees to send generators and supplies to family members in Puerto Rico free of charge. Although the program is only open to employees, American said many of its team members have loved ones on the island.

American Airlines resumed limited flights to San Juan this past Friday. The first three flights all carried volunteers and more than 13,000 pounds of supplies including cots, tarps, generators, food and water.

“It was an emotional trip in, we have a lot of history here in San Juan. The team in Miami all has family down here, and when we asked yesterday if we had anyone who was willing to come help, immediately we were able to fill the airplane,”  Jim Butler, a senior vice president for the airline, told reporters.

The airline is currently operating three daily flights to the island, the maximum it is currently allowed.

American has a cap on one way, non-stop fares to and from San Juan through Oct. 8: $99 main cabin and $199 premium cabins. It's also waiving the change fee for San Juan flights under certain circumstances.

The number of flights and operations are expected to ramp up as power is restored to the airport in San Juan.