British Airways has said that it is flying to deliver vital medical supplies, including PPE and ventilators, from China to London, to assist the NHS in responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

The flight was operated in partnership with the UK Government and IAG Cargo. The British Airways Boeing 777 is loaded with ventilators as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) including goggles, face guards and gowns.

The British Embassy is working with the Department of Health to procure medical equipment from China and deliver it to NHS hospitals all over the UK. The flight was made possible after the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) gave permission to reopen British Airways’ regular Shanghai to Heathrow passenger route for cargo use.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said: ‘We are doing all we can to support the global response to Covid-19, whether it’s flying important medical supplies in to the UK or helping to bring Britons home. We will continue to use all available resources to support the Government, the NHS and communities all over the world who might be in need of our help.’

Minister of State for Asia, Nigel Adams said: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to reopen the British Airways route from Shanghai to deliver lifesaving equipment that we have bought for the NHS.

‘We have been working round the clock to bolster the NHS supplies and save lives and we are seeking further deliveries as a matter of urgency.’

The flight on April 9 is the first of several British Airways flights containing medical equipment and supplies coming in to the UK from China. In the next days, 55 tonnes of hand sanitiser – equivalent to around 62,000 large bottles – will arrive in the UK on a similar flight from Shanghai.

British Airways along with its sister company, IAG Cargo is flying supplies around the world. Since March, IAG Cargo and airlines within International Airlines Group (IAG) including Aer Lingus and Iberia have been working to bring medical supplies to Europe to help in the fight against the impact of the Covid-19.