A flight packed with lifesaving PPE and healthcare supplies has been flown into Prestwick from China.
The cargo – which included about 10million face masks, infusion pumps for intensive care units and virus collecting kits for laboratories – landed yesterday morning.
The airport was selected to handle the crucial flights thanks to its superior freight handling facilities.
AirBridgeCargo, one of the world’s leading all cargo airlines, operated the flight in conjunction with freight forwarders JAG-UFS Group.
Saturday’s flight was offloaded and on its way to healthcare workers within a few hours of the plane touching down.
Stewart Adams, chief executive at Prestwick, said: "While the Coronavirus pandemic has meant the vast majority of commercial aircraft has been grounded, we’re continuing to operate our specialist freight-handling services in order to play an important part in supporting Scotland’s key workers during this difficult time.
"The PPE which we are receiving from China will be processed quickly so that this vital delivery can make its way to those who need it most, as soon as possible."
Scotland Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Ivan McKee, added: “Scotland’s health and social care system is facing unprecedented demand.
“Protecting staff on the frontline is an absolute priority, which is why we have been working at pace with the NHS and manufacturers both in Scotland and internationally to improve and increase the supply of PPE.
“This charter flight, carrying additional equipment ordered by the Scottish Government, is significant and we will be focusing the distribution of these supplies to health and social care settings over the coming days.
“In these challenging times, the Scottish Government will do all it can to make health and social care staff feel as safe as possible in their workplace.”
