Huge PPE shipment arrives at Doncaster Sheffield Airport

More than 22 tonnes of vital PPE supplies needed in the battle against coronavirus have landed at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
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The huge cargo – containing more than five million pieces of personal protective equipment, some of which will go directly to frontline NHS workers – arrived at the airport yesterday, Thursday, May 7.

Bosses at the airport said more than 300 tonnes of PPE were scheduled to pass through as it continues to do its bit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A huge delivery of PPE is unloaded from a plane at Doncaster Sheffield AirportA huge delivery of PPE is unloaded from a plane at Doncaster Sheffield Airport
A huge delivery of PPE is unloaded from a plane at Doncaster Sheffield Airport
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Freight traffic at the airport had nearly doubled during the coronavirus crisis compared to the same period last year, with 5,000 tonnes of cargo delivered on 60 flights since March 15.

As well as crucial medical supplies, the airport has been handling more than 500 tonnes of food destined for supermarket shelves each week and ensuring outbound humanitarian aid including solar fridges reaches those in need.

Chris Harcombe, the airport’s aviation development director, said: “Ordinarily, May would be the start of our summer season with passengers setting off on their holidays. The outbreak has halted our passenger operation for the time being, whilst our cargo throughput has doubled from this time last year.

“Doncaster Sheffield Airport is extremely proud to be playing its part in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus. Our operational teams – engineering, fire crew, cargo and air traffic control – are working around the clock to keep freight moving, getting it where it needs to be as quickly as possible.”

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Passenger flights have been put on hold at Doncaster Sheffield Airport during the outbreak but it says some are expected to resume from the middle of the month.

The airport said it had been preparing for a ‘record-breaking’ year, with long-haul flights scheduled for Cancun, Mexico, Sandford, Florida and Cape Verde, before the pandemic forced it to drastically alter its plans.

The latest consignment of PPE was sourced by Ideal Medical Solutions (IMS) from China and delivered by Ligentia, a Yorkshire-based global supply chain management provider which has worked with the likes of John Lewis, M&S and New Look.

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