Denmark’s efforts to control the spread of coronavirus have been significantly aided by the rapid supply of medical equipment to Danish hospitals from around the world, with Worldwide Flight Services’ (WFS) cargo handling team in Copenhagen at the forefront of the response to help move PPE shipments to front-line doctors and nurses as quickly as possible.
Already, WFS has handled some 350 tonnes of medical cargoes onboard 15 flights, a combination of both freighter charters and cargo-only passenger flights. A further 200 tonnes of PPE equipment is expected in the next two weeks.
Cargo imports from China have arrived on flights operated by airlines including Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and Star Air. A high number of flights into Denmark are part of the Maersk Bridge operation initiated and coordinated by A.P. Moller Holding with support from A.P. Moller – Maersk sourcing the PPE in China, and Damco transporting it to Rigshospitalet in Denmark. The air bridge and supply chain operation has been securing delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health care workers in Denmark – and thereby reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in Danish hospitals. Region H, the capital of Denmark, is responsible for the selection of materials, review of supplier certificates and quality control.
WFS’ cargo handling specialists in Copenhagen have processed medical supplies carried by a wide range of aircraft types; Antonov-124, Boeing 777 and 747 freighters as well as Boeing 767 and 777 and Airbus A350 passenger aircraft.
Jimi Daniel Hansen, general manager of WFS – Copenhagen, said: ”We are ready to provide all of the support necessary to ensure the cargo on these special flights reaches medical professionals in Denmark quickly and supports their outstanding work helping patients recovering from the coronavirus. We are especially proud to be helping the fantastic Maersk Bridge operation and will continue to meet any more special requests for additional cargo services.”
WFS’ cargo operation in Copenhagen provides handling services for some 70 customers, including over 20 airlines with online flights to the Danish capital. In 2019, WFS expanded its handling footprint at the airport to 13,900 sq m following the lease of a further warehouse facility and also invested in the opening of a dedicated Pharma centre for temperature-controlled healthcare and life science products.
