Government pays BA to fly to China to bring back 2.5million face masks and gloves - crammed into empty passenger seats - for the UK's frontline medical examiners
BA was paid by the govt to bring vital PPE to the united kingdom from China
Seven pilots and 6 crew made the trip in a very Boeing 777 aircraft in 28 hours
Every seat was crammed with a box of protective masks, gloves and overalls
Huge demand for PPE continues as NHS hospital boss asks Burberry and Barbour for help making protective equipment
A British Airways crew has flown 2.5 million pieces of PPE equipment back to the united kingdom from China in a very 28-hour non-stop mercy mission.
Seven pilots and 6 crew made the trip to choose up the supplies and produce them back to be utilized by NHS frontline staff.
Every seat on the Boeing 777 jet was crammed with a box of protective masks, gloves and overalls while all the overhead lockers were also packed with supplies including ventilator parts.
BA arranged the flight at the request of Brits Government who acquired the flight because the row over poor planning for PPE rumbled on.
Demand for the crucial equipment is so acute that one NHS hospital boss has begged British fashion chains like Burberry and Barbour to assist with the shortage.
The call for PPE is in contrast to the statement from Health Secretary Matt Hancock who said there's enough equipment to travel around.
A British Airways crew has flown 2.5 million pieces of PPE equipment back to the united kingdom from China in a very 28-hour non-stop mercy mission. First officer Helen Geering, 40, said it absolutely was an ‘absolute privilege’ to be ready to bring supplies back to the NHS
Seven pilots and 6 crew made the trip to choose up the supplies and produce them back to be utilized by NHS frontline staff. in a very video posted to social media pilot Andy Goodliffe (above) walked through the packed economy section after work party had completed their loading
More than two million masks were loaded into the hold of the BA flight from Shangahi to Heathrow and an additional 480,000 were strapped into the economy section.
It is the primary time the passenger section of a BA jet has ever been accustomed transport cargo.
In a video posted to social media, which has been shared thousands of times, pilot Andy Goodliffe walked through the packed economy section after the bottom crew had completed their loading.
He said: 'The whole plane is jammed. 2,000 face masks in each box.’
Opening an overhead locker to point out off the load, he added:’ And m in each of those.’
First officer Helen Geering, 40, was among people who took part within the 28-hour flight.
She said it absolutely was an ‘absolute privilege’ to be ready to bring supplies back to the NHS.
Standing before of seats packed with cardboard boxes she described it as a ‘precious cargo’ that will tend to the those that most need it.
Three pilots flew the jet bent Shanghai on Wednesday while the others rested during the 12-hour flight.
On the return leg the opposite pilots took over the controls to fits safety regulations.
Captain Elliot Goodbody flew the ultimate leg of the flight and said he was proud to be a part of Brits Airways team bringing in 20 tonnes of supplies.
Each of the seats within the economy section of the jet, which may take up to 300 people, had been crammed with a box containing masks and other PPE equipment.
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