American Airlines : Sales Conference Brings $2 Million Investment and More Than 3,000 Volunteer Hours to Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - This week, American Airlines hosted its annual Global Sales Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, bringing in more than 900 Sales team members from around the world and an investment of more than $2 million to the island's economy. The conference was held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center and was attended by top airline leaders, including Chairman and CEO Doug Parker.

'We're thrilled to have hosted our annual Global Sales Conference in Puerto Rico, further strengthening our 47-year commitment to the island and to our more than 250 team members in San Juan, while also helping us continue to do our part in the recovery and relief efforts following Hurricane Maria,' said Parker.

As part of American's ongoing efforts to help Puerto Rico's recovery, on Thursday more than 800 team members participated in eight community outreach projects, donating more than 3,000 hours to initiatives including painting, landscaping, refurbishing facilities and sorting food at organizations including the Puerto Rico Down Syndrome Foundation, Casa de Niños Manuel Fernando Juncos, Habitat for Humanity and Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico, among others.

'As we began to organize this year's Global Sales Conference, we knew that Puerto Rico was the right location. It's not only American's largest destination in the Caribbean, but we also knew that it's where our team could have the biggest impact,' said Alison Taylor, American's Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Distribution. 'It was incredible to see hundreds of our team members out in the community lending a helping hand and continuing the great relief work that we began in September.'

On Sept. 22, 2017, American became the first airline to restore air service to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, flying in more than 100 team members to restart the airline's operations and bringing in more than 20,000 pounds of relief supplies. Since then, the airline has continued its relief work on the island with a number of initiatives, including operating the most widebody aircraft between the U.S. and San Juan for additional cargo and passenger capacity, shipping more than 3 million pounds of cargo to the island, operating relief flights for team members and family members, waiving fees for ticket changes and checked bags, capping fares and launching 'Operation Puerto Rico Strong,' which provided team members with free supply shipping to Puerto Rico.

The airline has also focused on a number of community initiatives, including helping to raise nearly $2 million through a partnership with the American Red Cross, partnering with UNICEF Champions for Children for a total donation of $400,000 and working with non-profit organizations in its hub cities to provide much-needed food and supplies to hurricane victims.

American resumed normal operations in Puerto Rico late last year. The airline operates up to 19 daily flights between Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan (SJU) and its hubs in Miami (MIA); Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT); Chicago (ORD); Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (DFW); and Philadelphia (PHL).