News Release
Lufthansa Airlines to Say "Thank You" to People of HRM/Gander
(Monday, May 13/2002)-- Mayor Peter Kelly will lead a delegation to Germany tomorrow of public and private agency representatives who assisted passengers and crew on Lufthansa Airline flights diverted to Halifax on September 11th. They will be guests of Lufthansa, who are sponsoring the entire visit.
The German national airline is naming the new Airbus A340 for the people of HRM and Gander, Newfoundland, who provided assistance to those travelling on Lufthansa trans-Atlantic flights diverted to those communities as a result of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington last September 11th.
This is the highest honour that an airline can bestow on a community. This is the first time that Lufthansa has ever named one of its aircraft after a community located outside of Germany. The new Airbus A-340 aircraft will permanently display the names and official coats-of-arms of the two Atlantic municipalities.
The delegation from HRM includes representatives of:
Mount Saint Vincent Mother house;
Dartmouth Sportsplex;
Salvation Army;
Canadian Red Cross;
HRM Emergency Measures Organization;
Halifax International Airport Authority;
Nova Scotia Department of Community Services;
Camp Aldershot, near Kentville;
Kings County Firefighter's Association; and
local police services.
Mayor Kelly said "The people of our community were proud to provide a safe haven for those passengers diverted to Halifax as a result of those tragic events of September 11th. The people of HRM are known for their hospitality and generosity, and we do what we have to do when an emergency occurs. However, we are both pleased and honoured that Lufthansa is going to such great lengths to say "thank you" for a job well done."
While in Frankfurt, delegates will be lodged at the Lufthansa Training Centre. The christening ceremony will take place Thursday, May 16th, and the delegation will return home this Saturday.
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Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010
