Aer Lingus to send largest plane to China 60 times to pick up medical supplies

A story published by the Irish Mirror this morning details that Aer Lingus pilots will fly five of the airline's Airbus A330's to China to pick up much-needed medical supplies and transport them back to Ireland.

It's possible that the pilots who volunteered for the humanitarian effort will fly back and forth up to 60 times, in order to collect HSE-recommended medical equipment. The Aer Lingus pilots will not be allowed to exit the planes, as they will be quarantined if they do.

The Chinese Embassy have reportedly waived visa fees for airline pilots as a kind gesture during the crisis, according to a video seen by the Mirror.

The HSE's Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry said on Tuesday night: “We are expecting medical supplies to come from China on Sunday.”

An Aer Lingus spokeswoman told the Irish Mirror: “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".