EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic have reached out to thousands of staff to help out at the new Nightingale hospitals as part of the fight against coronavirus.

Both airlines are reaching out to those staff who have not been working due to planes having been grounded following the coronavirus outbreak to consider helping at the new hospitals being built across the country.

EasyJet has already written to all 9,000 of its UK-based staff, which includes 4,000 cabin crew who are trained in CPR, while Virgin Atlantic will write to approximately 4,000 of their employees from today (30 March), prioritising those with the required skills and training.

Those who volunteer will perform clinical support roles, including changing beds, tending to patients and assisting doctors and nurses working on the wards.

The NHS has confirmed that they are being built in London, Birmingham and Manchester and other sites are being considered.

Director of cabin services for EasyJet, Tina Milton, said: “We have all needed the NHS at some point in our lives and so we are so proud that our crew can now help to support the NHS at this crucial time.

“The NHS is at the forefront of dealing with this health emergency but the training and skills our cabin crew have, working closely with the medical professionals, could help make a real difference.”

Chief customer officer at Virgin Atlantic, Corneel Koster, said: “We are very grateful to the NHS for everything they are doing in extremely challenging circumstances and we’re committed to doing all we can to support the national effort against the rapid acceleration of Covid-19.”

“We are very proud of our highly skilled people at Virgin Atlantic and since the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme was announced, we have been inundated with our employees looking to help other organisations at this time of crisis.

“The NHS approached us with this unique opportunity as they recognise the value and experience our medically trained cabin crew and trainers will bring to the incredible Nightingale Hospital initiative.”

“In addition, our cargo business is very busy with extra flights, keeping global supply chains running and transporting essential medical supplies into the UK at this time.”

Staff and volunteers working at the new hospitals will be offered free accommodation. Those staying in the hotels will have breakfast provided and lunch or dinner depending on the shifts that they are working.