Ethiopian Airlines is in a forefront in hauling cargo and shipping medical equipments as COVID-19 is sweeping the globe and devastating the aviation industry. Alongside Ethiopian Cargo, South African Airways (SAA ) cargo have both been adding additional freight flights to cater for medical equipment demand related to the coronavirus outbreak, Air Cargo News reported.
In March alone, the carrier transported a total uplift of over 45,848 tons of cargo to different parts of the world deploying both its freighters and passenger fleet, it was indicated. After COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a global threat and severely affected the aviation industry, Ethiopian Airlines has a reduction of 30 percent in passenger traffic and lost more than 550 million USD in revenue.
However, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde Gebremariam told the media Ethiopian has been seeking to battle the devastating impact of coronavirus on the global aviation industry. Thus, currently, the airlines is shouldering its continental responsibility by shipping masks and testing kits where those supplies are being used in the fight against COVID-19 in Africa.
According to Air Cargo News, Ethiopian Cargo has extended its reach to 74 destinations globally, while also operating charter flights. The shipments include pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and healthcare products, carried with 86 charter flights using B777 freighters.
ET B777 has transported 1,280,000 masks, 4,250,000 gloves, 121,050 protective coveralls and 27,600 eye protection goggles from Shanghai to Valencia.