BEIJING, Feb. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar Airways has volunteered free air cargo transportation for medical relief aid organised by Chinese Embassies and Consulates worldwide to fight the coronavirus emergency. Qatar's national carrier has aims to independently donate millions of medical-grade masks and sanitization bottles to areas in China most urgently in need.
Medical supplies donated by Chinese communities worldwide will be flown by Qatar Airways Cargo freighters through its global network of 170 destinations to its China cargo gateways in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau.
Qatar Airways Cargo delivered the first batch of critical medical relief aid to Shanghai on 2nd February 2020. The shipment included 100,000 medical-grade N95 respiratory masks and 2,700 medical-grade disposable latex gloves, providing essential protection to healthcare professionals working around the clock at hospitals in Hubei Province, the epicentre of the virus.
Under the relief programme by Chinese overseas communities, 700 kilogrammes of medical aid has already been donated by Chinese businesses and communities in Qatar alone.
The "Green Channel" initiative for complimentary air transportation was announced jointly by Qatar Airways and the Chinese Embassy in Qatar. Qatar Airways is the first international airline to volunteer emergency relief flight delivery.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: "We are taking immediate actions to help alleviate the heartbreaking and devastating situation in China. We hope to make a positive contribution, leveraging our strengths as one of the world's leading air cargo carriers and strong network of partnerships."
"Along with the Chinese Embassy in Qatar coordinating relief aid efforts with local Chinese business organisations, we hope our combined efforts can help limit the spread of this virus, ease the burden on local medical personnel and make a meaningful difference."
Chinese Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Mr. Zhou Jian, said: "I would like to thank Qatar Airways for opening a 'Green Channel' for transporting these supplies.
"China and Qatar are good friends. We highly appreciate the support for the motherland of Chinese citizens and companies in Qatar, which further strengthens our confidence to win this battle. This will surely write another glorious story in the history of China-Qatar relations."
Chinese diaspora donations are flooding-in worldwide in rapid response to the shortage of medical supplies reported by the World Health Organization.
The Middle East carrier is also working closely with the World Health Organization and local authorities worldwide safeguard the health and safety of its employees and passengers. Its modern fleet is protected with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration systems, eliminating 99.97% of fine airborne particles from circulating air in cabins, greatly restricting the spread of airborne fungi, viruses and bacteria.
Qatar Airways has taken the decision to suspend passenger flights to mainland China starting 3rd February due to significant operational challenges caused by the outbreak. An ongoing review of operations will be conducted each week to assess the situation but once these restrictions are lifted, Qatar Airways will immediately reinstate its flights. Qatar Airways Cargo freighter service to its two Mainland China destinations – Guangzhou and Shanghai, remains unchanged.
Qatar Airways operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 170 destinations worldwide. The world's fastest-growing airline will add Osaka, Japan; Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Almaty and Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Accra, Ghana; Cebu, Philippines; Lyon, France; Trabzon, Turkey; Siem Reap, Cambodia and Luanda, Angola to its extensive network in 2020.
Notes to Editors
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 170 business and leisure destinations on board a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft. The world's fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2020, including Osaka, Japan; Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Almaty and Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan; Accra, Ghana; Cebu, Philippines; Lyon, France; Trabzon, Turkey; Siem Reap, Cambodia and Luanda, Angola.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named 'World's Best Airline' by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named 'Best Airline in the Middle East', 'World's Best Business Class' and 'Best Business Class Seat', in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted "Skytrax Airline of the Year" title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry's first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways' in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline's on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline's own brand message - Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world's leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 250 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 19 Boeing 777 freighters and five Airbus A330 freighters.
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