Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has collaborated with Bolloré Logistics and Airbus to transport 2m medical face masks from China to France and Spain, to help protect health workers and the general public during the coronavirus outbreak.
Airbus sent one of its A330-800 passenger aircraft to Tianjin in China to collect the masks. Co-ordinated with Airbus' logistics partner Bolloré, the flight returned to Toulouse in France, where upon arrival, WFS the team quickly processed the cargo.
WFS either sorted the masks for use in the healthcare sector in France, or loaded the masks that were to be sent to Spain.
Next, from Toulouse, an Airbus A400M transported the face masks to Getafe in Spain, completing the operation on March 24.
Hugo Rodrigues, vice president cargo France at WFS, explained: "The critical need for face masks to prevent [the spread of] coronavirus infections has led to a global shortage of this essential equipment. It is therefore vital for the air logistics chain to be able to respond immediately when new stocks become available.
"We will be working with Airbus and Bolloré Logistics on more relief flights carrying urgent medical equipment in the coming days.
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"I also want to thank the WFS cargo team in Toulouse because we are very proud of the commitment and professionalism they are showing in the current, most challenging circumstances."
Marc Yorann, project manager at Bolloré Logistics, added: "We want to thank everyone involved in helping to ensure this most urgent cargo reached the frontline medical staff so quickly.
"It is important that the medical profession helping to treat Covid-19 patients can feel confident that the logistics and cargo handling industry is there to provide all the help and support they need at this most difficult time, and has the ability to act immediately."
