Virgin Atlantic has so far operated five cargo-only flights from Shanghai to London Heathrow, bringing in 80 tonnes of medical equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE).
In partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS, the UK carrier has transported 8,000 boxes, carrying over 3.5m individual items
During April, Virgin Atlantic is operating a total of eight cargo-only flights from Shanghai, transporting over 100 tonnes of crucial medical supplies – to be distributed evenly across the UK to NHS frontline heroes dealing with the Covid-19 crisis.
The sixth Virgin Atlantic charter flight, a 26-hour round trip between London Heathrow and Shanghai, flight VS251, arrives this afternoon [April 21], carrying medical cargo in the cabin as well as the cargo hold of the Boeing 787-9, following special dispensation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Manned by seven pilots and four cabin crew, who rotate duties and rest time, each flight carries an average of 16 tonnes of essential items to keep NHS heroes working on the frontline safe and support patients who are in great need.
Since the first charter on Friday April 3, which was supported by Virgin Unite and Virgin Group, over 80 tonnes of medical supplies and PPE have been transported, including 50 ventilators, 1.8m face masks, 600,000 face shields and visors, 1m disposable gloves, 38,000 items for eye protection, and 75,000 protective coveralls and isolation gowns.
Dominic Kennedy, Managing Director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said: “We’re hugely grateful to the NHS health and care workers who are working so hard to help the nation and respond to the Covid-19 crisis.
“Working closely with the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care, Virgin Atlantic is transporting over 100 tonnes of crucial medical supplies and PPE in to the UK on special cargo charter flights from Shanghai this month, through Heathrow airport.
“Special dispensation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) means that we can store cargo in the cabin as well as the cargo hold, ensuring even more essential medical supplies can reach the UK this week and be distributed by the NHS to frontline staff.”
Said an airline spokesperson: “The emergence of Covid-19 has led to Virgin Atlantic operating cargo-only flights, a first for the airline since its launch in 1984. Special exemptions from the imposed travel restrictions for pilots and cabin crew – whose health and wellbeing remains our top priority – mean that cargo operations can continue, ensuring the airline can continue to support vital supply chains across the globe.
“Virgin Atlantic’s first-ever cargo-only flight, VS698 from London Heathrow for New York JFK, took place only on March 22.”
The flights are operated in partnership with the UK Government and Virgin Atlantic. The British Embassy is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to procure medical equipment from China and deliver it to NHS hospitals all over the UK.
