Qatar Airways Cargo delivered the first batch of critical medical relief to Shanghai on 2 February, including 100,000 medical-grade N95 respiratory masks and 2,700 medical-grade disposable latex gloves, to help fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Qatar Airways says it is the first international airline to volunteer emergency relief flight delivery. The carrier also aims to donate millions of medical-grade masks and sanitisation bottles to areas in China most urgently in need.

Medical supplies donated by Chinese communities worldwide will be flown by Qatar Airways Cargo freighters through its global network of 170 destinations to its China cargo gateways in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau.

Donations flooding in

Chinese overseas communities relief programme has donated 700 kilograms of medical aid in Qatar alone.

Qatar Airways group chief executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are taking immediate actions to help alleviate the heartbreaking and devastating situation in China. We hope to make a positive contribution, leveraging our strengths as one of the world’s leading air cargo carriers and strong network of partnerships.”

“Along with the Chinese Embassy in Qatar coordinating relief aid efforts with local Chinese business organisations, we hope our combined efforts can help limit the spread of this virus, ease the burden on local medical personnel and make a meaningful difference.”

The carrier is also working closely with the World Health Organization and local authorities worldwide to protect the health and safety of the airline’s employees and passengers. The airline’s fleet is protected with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems, eliminating 99.97 per cent of fine airborne particles from circulating air in cabins.

Qatar Airways announced on 1 February it is suspending passenger flights to mainland China due to significant operational challenges caused by the coronavirus outbreak. An ongoing review of the operations will be conducted each week to assess the situation but once the restrictions are lifted, Qatar Airways will immediately reinstate its flights. Qatar Airways Cargo freighter service is unaffected.