Airlift to India: 12 airfreight providers supporting India’s COVID-19 response

The surge in coronavirus cases across India has left the nation facing a shortage of vital medical supplies. While the country remains in crisis, air cargo operators and logistics providers are working with aid groups and nonprofits across the globe to meet demand through the transport of ventilators, oxygen tanks and PPE. We at Air Cargo World have collected 12 examples of airlines, express operators, logistics providers or teams of organizations that have been involved in these shipments so far. Readers who would like to contribute toward relief efforts in India can do so through the first organization on our list: Airlink, an organization that coordinates humanitarian relief efforts between nonprofits and airlines. 1. Airlink Airlink is working to transport medical supplies to India. As of April, Airlink had 13 shipments from 11 NGOs originating from Canada, the U.S., China and the U.K. The organization is utilizing its network of over 50 airlines and 130 NGOs in order to facilitate the delivery of PPE, oxygen and other medical supplies, according to a press release. To donate to Airlink’s relief efforts, click here . 2. Qatar Airways [caption id="attachment_95514" align="alignright" width="350"] Three Qatar Airways 777Fs carried medical and relief supplies to India. Photo: Qatar Airways[/caption] Qatar Airways, the flag carrier of Qatar, delivered approximately 300 tonnes of medical equipment, including PPE and oxygen canisters, via a convoy of three Boeing 777 freighters. The shipment was sponsored by Qatar Airways Cargo’s “WeQare initiative” as part of its continued global relief efforts. During the early stages of the pandemic, the airline provided similar aid to China. 3. National Airlines U.S.-based National Airlines has shipped 250,000 lbs (about 113 tonnes) of medical equipment, to Delhi (DEL) on behalf of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The shipment, which included N-95 masks and 1,028 oxygen tanks, was transported in the carrier’s 747-400F, according to a social media post. 4. SpiceXpress On May 4, the cargo division of India-based SpiceJet airlifted 2,450 oxygen concentrators from China and Hong Kong to India via the carrier’s 737 freighter. In total, the airline has transported 6,850 oxygen concentrators over the past two weeks. The airline’s healthcare company, SpiceHealth, ordered and delivered the concentrators in coordination with state governments and hospitals across the nation. 5. CMA CGM Group French shipping line CMA CGM Group chartered one of its own A330-200 freighters carrying 28 tonnes of medical supplies to DEL, including 8 high-capacity oxygen generator plants, 28 ventilators and 200 electric syringe pushers. Each oxygen generator plant can support a 250-bed Indian hospital, according to a release from the French embassy in India. 6. Lufthansa Cargo [caption id="attachment_95513" align="alignleft" width="350"] Lufthansa Cargo's Frankfurt to Delhi flight. Photo: Lufthansa[/caption] German airline Lufthansa Cargo has delivered 10 tonnes of medical equipment to DEL, via subsidiary time:matters, a logistics company that specializes in time-sensitive international transport. The shipment, which included 280 oxygen concentrators, was transported in the bellyholds of three separate 747 passenger flights, according to the airline. 7. Etihad Airways United Arab Emirates-based Etihad Airways is currently operating daily flights to deliver ventilators, PPE and other medical supplies to India, the carrier said in a social media post. Etihad has provided continued logistical support for COVID relief measures through its participation in the HOPE Consortium, a global vaccine distribution network. 8. United Cargo [caption id="attachment_95512" align="alignright" width="350"] United Cargo transported ventilators to India. Photo: United Cargo[/caption] The cargo division of United Airlines delivered 20 ventilators, donated by the U.S.-India Chamber of Commerce, to the India Red Cross, according to a social media post from the carrier. United will fly a further 30 ventilators to India in the weeks ahead. 9. IndiGo IndiGo, the largest passenger airline in India, received authorization from the Indian government to carry medicine and medical equipment in response to the pandemic. The airline announced that they were in the process of operating 30 flights free of cost to support COVID relief efforts, according to local media reports. As of May 2, the airline has delivered oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong to New Delhi and continues to assist in vaccine shipments. 10. Virgin Atlantic On May 1, Virgin Atlantic flew 200 boxes of oxygen concentrators from London (LHR) to DEL on a 787-9 flight organized by Virgin Atlantic pilot Jas Singh and Khalsa Aid. The airline plans to donate additional cargo space to carry more oxygen concentrators to India, according to a press release. 11. UPS and Air India The UPS foundation has collaborated with Sewa International, an India-based nonprofit organization, to deliver 2,184 oxygen concentrators to DEL. The shipment was provided free of cost by the carrier and will be distributed within the country via Air India, according to a press release from Sewa International. 12. FedEx As of April, FedEx Express has delivered 1,000 oxygen concentrators to DEL and is currently working to transport over 1,800 pounds of additional medical supplies, including PPE and medicine. The carrier expects to transport additional medical supplies and equipment to underserved areas in collaboration with the Indian government, according to the company’s press release.

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