Business aviation group purchasing organisation AVIAA is launching AVIAA Cares, a new charitable initiative enabling the business aviation community to help patients and their families in need of medical transport. AVIAA Cares' first partner will be Corporate Angel Network (CAN), the only charitable organisation in the United States whose sole mission is to transport cancer patients to specialised treatment centres by arranging free flights on business aircraft.

“We created AVIAA Cares to support those organisations who help those in need by applying our buying power and streamlined procurement services,” says chief business development officer Matthew Smith. “We welcome Corporate Angel Network as our first partner in developing this important programme for AVIAA and its valued members.

“Supply chain management takes time and money. By implementing this initiative, we want to help operators performing critical missions shift costs, reduce their overheads and free capital to deploy elsewhere. This means any operator, whether a dedicated air ambulance or CAN member, can focus on continuing to use their aircraft for patient benefit.”

With an AVIAA Cares fleet membership, operators benefit from savings on fuel, crew training, ground operations, insurance, maintenance, data services and operations, tapping into the benefits of the company's global network.

Through the AVIAA Cares programme, Corporate Angel Network operators will receive an initial six-month complementary AVIAA membership that includes exclusive benefits with preferred partners and concierge-level procurement consultation. AVIAA will also reward existing AVIAA members when they join and provide flights for CAN.

Smith continues: “CAN's service in the business aviation community helps provide patients with critical flights to their treatment and we're thrilled to support their cause and members.”

CAN senior programme manager Samantha Lohse adds: “In creating AVIAA Cares, AVIAA is demonstrating the importance of corporate social responsibility. Thanks to over 500 corporations supporting this important programme, half of whom are Fortune 100 companies, over 250 patients per month are connected with much needed medical treatments and services. We are grateful for AVIAA's commitment to helping us expand our reach to additional patients and their families.”

Established in 2017 with a global presence, AVIAA uses aggregation, transparency, industry expertise and proprietary algorithms to streamline the procurement process for both operators and vendors. The business is headquartered in Irvine, California and also has offices in Park City, Utah; Munich, Germany; and in the UK at London Oxford airport.

Corporate Angel Network is a public charity that arranges free flights for cancer patients to treatment using empty seats on business aircraft. The organisation has received numerous awards in recognition of its service to cancer patients and will celebrate its 38th year in operation.