Qatar Airways Sends Convoy of Boeing Freighters to China With 300 Tons of Medical Supplies

Qatar Airways announced today that they have sent a convoy of two Boeing 747F and three 777 Freighters with 300 tons of medical supplies free-of-charge to China. The shipment consists of 2.5M face masks and 500K bottles of hand sanitizer donated by the airline.

Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777F - Courtesy Boeing

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Qatar Airways announced on Friday that they have sent a convoy of five freighters, including two Boeing 747Fs and three 777Fs to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in China with 300 tons of essential medical supplies. The shipment includes 2.5M face masks and 500K bottles of hand sanitizer which have been donated by Qatar Airways. In Friday’s announcement, Qatar Airways Group’s Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said

“When this crisis began, we knew we had to contribute to support our friends in China. As one of the leading cargo carriers in the world, we are in a unique position where we are able to provide immediate humanitarian support through the provision of aircraft and donating medical supplies as well as coordinating logistical arrangements. By working with the Chinese Embassy in Qatar we hope our combined efforts can help limit the spread of this virus, ease the burden on local medical personnel and provide relief to the impacted communities in China.”

Also commenting on the humanitarian aid, the Ambassador to the State of Qatar from the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Zhou Jian added,

“At this critical moment when Chinese people nationwide are fighting against the Coronavirus, Qatar Airways has opened a “Green Channel” for donating and transporting medical supplies to China. This is a channel of love, friendship, solidarity and hope. We are deeply grateful for that. The kindness of Qatar fully reflects the fraternal friendship of the Qatari government and the people of Qatar have for the Chinese people. It is also a symbol of Qatar’s internationalism, and a symbol of solidarity among the international community to stand together in the face of difficulties. On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I would like to extend our most sincere thanks to the brotherly Qatari people.”

The supplies shipped today follow an earlier Qatar Airways Cargo shipment of 100K medical-grade respiratory masks and 2,700 pairs or medical-grade latex gloves shipped to Shanghai on February 2, 2020. Those essential supplies were delivered to the healthcare professionals in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak. On February 7, 2020, in conjunction with the Chinese Embassy in Qatar, the airline announced the ‘Green Channel’ initiative for complimentary air transportation. Qatar Airways was the first international carrier to announce volunteer emergency relief flight delivery.

Celebrated and award-winning Qatar Airways was named the ‘World’s Best Airline’ in the 2019 World Airline Awards managed by Skytrax. The carrier was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and awarded the title for ‘Best Business Class Seat.’ Qatar Airways is the only airline ever to have received the prestigious “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title five times. The national carrier of the State of Qatar, Qatar Airways serves over 170 global destinations with a fleet of more than 250 modern aircraft. The airline’s primary hub is located at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar.

Source: Qatar Airways