How Air Cargo Is Helping In the Fight Against COVID-19

Just a few months ago, the idea of a complete global shutdown was unthinkable. But Coronavirus (COVID-19) has done just that, with both business and personal life being stopped in their tracks.

The travel industry has been hit hard by the virus and this has had an unprecedented impact on the world of aviation. As the virus spread rapidly around the world, airlines had to make the difficult decision to suspend domestic and international passenger flights, in an attempt to stop it. Borders closed and people were asked to stay at home.

While the complete standstill of the world remains a shock, the airline industry has had to adapt. In the last few weeks, we have seen how it can adjust its services to the current situation in order to support the fight against COVID-19.

Let’s look at the ways air freight companies are working together to transport essential goods and personnel around the world.

Delivery of medical equipment

One of the most pressing needs that cargo charter flights have assisted with is the transportation and delivery of medical equipment like PPE, face masks, gloves and disinfectant. Ventilators and other life-support equipment is also in high demand. Air freight companies have stepped up to ensure fast and effective delivery of these essential products to even the most remote places around the globe.

Transporting medical personnel

While the demand for business and leisure travel has stopped, a different kind of travel has replaced it. Along with medical supplies and equipment that is being transported globally by cargo charter flights, airlines are also helping out by transporting medical personnel.

These medical professionals are being transported to areas that need them most. China sent a team of doctors, nurses, technicians and medical equipment to Italy to try and help them cope with the virus outbreak. China had already been through the peak of the virus, so their experience was vital for the regions hardest hit in Italy.

Transporting patients

Airlines are also proving how vital air cargo charter services are in times of need for remote communities. Some airlines have converted aircraft carriers traditionally used for passengers into air ambulances. This is done to help transport those affected by the disease to areas where they can be properly treated.

These planes have been converted into carriers with isolation pods, and are equipped with medical equipment such as ventilators that support patients during their journey. These planes also have medical staff on board to help administer medication and sometimes life-saving procedures to patients struggling to breathe.

Medical evacuations

Transporting patients onboard cargo planes hasn’t just been about getting patients from remote areas to places where they can get treatment. It has also included transporting a number of patients from areas and countries that are struggling to cope with the sheer number of COVID-19 cases that require life-saving support.

In Italy, Lombardy was the country’s hardest-hit region. Their hospitals were not equipped to deal with the number of critically ill patients needing medical care.

Germany stepped in to help Italy and France. A large number of patients were transferred by cargo plane to Germany for treatment. This helped to ease up resources in the regions struggling to cope with their high number of Coronavirus patients. Flying ensured that the journey was as quick as possible, while staffed with all the necessary medical personnel to get patients through their trip safely.

Repatriation

As lockdowns were implemented all over the world and passenger aircraft stopped in their tracks, there was the heartbreaking issue of residents stuck in other countries far from their families.

Many countries stepped up to the plate in order to get their citizens back on home soil. Passenger and cargo aircraft were used to ensure that they get people home as safely and as quickly as possible.

Free flights for medical volunteers

The USA has been hit hard by COVID-19. There has been a scrabble for medical personnel in the areas that have the highest cases. Airlines have used both passenger aircraft and cargo planes to help ease the shortage of hospital staff in places like New York State where hospitals are at their maximum capacity.

A number of airlines across the USA are offering free passage for medical volunteers and research assistants to reach the areas where their skills are needed the most.

Supply of food and necessities

One of the most critical roles of the airline industry during this pandemic is ensuring that fresh food and other necessities are able to successfully move along the supply chain. Many of these items are usually transported along with passengers. But, with the complete standstill of passenger travel, airlines have more room to ensure that they can help get supplies across the world.

Remote regions have been affected by the disruption in normal supply routes. Smaller cargo planes are being used to transport fresh food and water to regions that are unable to produce their own.

Planes that previously acted as passenger transport have been transporting more goods across the world than ever before. Some of them have even developed Cargo Seat Bags. This allows airlines to transport cargo in cabins without having to undertake the expensive remodelling of the aircraft.

Air cargo for rapid response

These are just some of the key roles that air cargo companies have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Airports, airlines, air traffic management and all other industry players have taken this responsibility in their stride. At Air Charter Service, we are proud to be able to play such an important part in helping during this pandemic.

Find out more about how our cargo charter flights have been assisting across the world and get up-to-date air cargo news from our website. Get in touch with our air charter experts if you’d like more details on how we can help you. We’re all in this together.