Aer Lingus is flying its biggest aircraft to China this morning in its first of up to 60 voyages to collect medical supplies, Dublin Live can reveal.
It comes after 90 its pilots this week secured visas and have volunteered to spend over 24 hours on the airline's Airbus A330s to carry out the operation.
The first crew made up of five pilots were due to leave for Beijing from Dublin Airport at 10.20am on Saturday morning to pick up essential equipment needed by HSE staff in the fight against Covid-19.
Aer Lingus will pack its planes with 600 tonnes of much needed personal protective equipment, masks and coronavirus testing kits over the next two weeks.
A source said: "The Airbus A330s will not only use the cargo holds but all the passenger seats will be loaded securely with medical equipment including PPE.
"There will be five pilots on board as well an Aer Lingus loadsmaster expert.
"These are facing over 24 hours on the plane as they can't get off in Beijing or they'll be quarantined.
"Saturday will be the first flight, there'll be two on Sunday, three on Monday and five daily journeys starting Tuesday.
"The Chinese Embassy in Dublin has been very helpful in ensuring 90 Aer Lingus pilots secured visas on Thursday."
The airline agreed to fly 13 years worth of personal protective equipment to Ireland after the HSE agreed a €200million deal with China.
The operation will see around 100,000 of testing kits arrive in the country per week.
The first Aer Lingus flight is due to arrive in Asia on Sunday morning before landing in Ireland that night after the 24 hour round-trip.
The Chinese Embassy in Ireland revealed it waived fees for all 90 pilots and committed to trying to secure landing slots for the flights in Beijing.
The front section of the plane will be sectioned off for the staff to rest. No cabin crew workers are expected to travel.
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman told Dublin Live: “Aer Lingus is fully committed to working with our government and all of the relevant authorities to support the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
President of the Irish Airline Pilots Association, Captain Evan Cullen, and the airline's Director of Flight Operations, Captain John Kelly, on Monday sent a message to the company's pilots.
In the video seen by Dublin Live, Mr Kelly said: "Aer Lingus is now mounting a 330 freighter operation to transport these goods.
"The initial batch is 660 tonnes and this will involve 50-60 Dublin to Beijing rotations.
"The co-operation of the pilot body is requested in this programme."
Mr Cullen added: "This represents a critical contribution to prepare for and fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Together, we have the opportunity to do something extraordinary."
