British Airways has announced extra flights from China to London, which will carry essential medical equipment to help health services in the United Kingdom deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With most European flights grounded since early March to limit the spread of coronavirus, the airline will swap passengers for parcels from May to put on 21 flights a week to London – 14 from Shanghai and seven from Beijing.
Each week, the planes will carry up to 770 tons of cargo for the NHS, including PPE and ventilators. The airline recently began placing cargo in flight cabins for the first time in its 81-year history since beginning life as the British Overseas Airways Corporation.
For the first time in its history, British Airways is filling its cabins with cargo. /British Airways
Up to 21 British Airways flights a week are are to run from China to the UK, providing the NHS with medical equipment to fight COVID-19. /British Airways
Alex Cruz, British Airways' chairman and chief executive, said: "We are in a unique position to help in the global response to COVID-19, whether it is through carrying UK residents back home, transporting vital cargo back to the NHS, or through our colleagues who are offering their skills to volunteer."
He added: "We're proud to be playing our part, and I'm grateful to everyone who is working to make these flights happen in these difficult times."
The flights are operated in partnership with the UK Government and IAG Cargo, the airline's sister company. The British Embassy in China is working with the Department of Health to procure medical equipment from China and deliver it to NHS hospitals all over the UK.
"These flights will help us deliver essential equipment to the NHS and for others who are working on the front line," said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
Sign up here to get the COVID-19 Europe bulletin sent directly to your inbox