British Airways increases cargo flights to China
British Airways has announced that it's increasing the amount of cargo flights to China. The move comes as the united kingdom continues to grapple with a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare personnel through the coronavirus pandemic.
The airline has also beefed up its cargo capacity between China and London. It has achieved this with a double-pronged approach. Initially, the airline was only operating with cargo in the hold of its aircraft. However, it really is now joining a great many other airlines in loading cargo into the passenger cabin.
Unlike various other airlines, including Lufthansa and Air Canada, British Airways has so far refrained from removing seats from the cabins of its Boeing 777s operating the freight flights. Nevertheless, the British flag carrier can be upping the amount of cargo flights it operates to collect the PPE.
Last week, the British flag carrier operated 13 freight flights from China, carrying aid for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). However, it will up this by simply over 50 %. The airline will operate 21 flights each week - averaging three each day.
The airline will operate seven weekly flights to Beijing, and 14 weekly flights to Shanghai. Together the new schedule allows British Airways to transport as much as 770 tonnes of medical supplies weekly.
On BA's increased cargo capacity from China, Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary of the UK, said, “These flights can help us deliver essential equipment to the NHS and for others who are working on the front line. Coronavirus is a global challenge and we are centered on dealing with our international partners to avoid the spread of the virus and save lives.”
