Corporate Airlines, which was based in Smyrna, Tenn., just outside of Nashville, flew regional routes as part of the AmericanConnection network, an affiliate of American Airlines. Because of the local connection, American Airlines had contracted with Atkinson Public Relations several years prior to help manage local issues in the event of a crisis.
In October 2004, Corporate Airlines flight 5966 crashed in Kirksville, Mo. on landing, killing 13 people. Atkinson immediately mobilized to provide assistance to the company’s leadership.
