Philippine Red Cross charters PAL cargo flights to ferry medical supplies from China
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been chartered by the Philippine Red Cross to ferry medical supplies from Changsha Airport, Hunan, China.
“PAL and Red Cross Philippines have just completed loading testing lab equipment and supplies and test kits for Covid-19. Now taxiing for departure back to Manila. All flight clearances secured by DFA PHL,” tweeted Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.
The flight was confirmed by PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna, who said, “chartered by Philippine Red Cross yesterday transported medical equipment and supplies from Changsha [capital of Hunan province] to Manila aboard an Airbus 320.”
“Flight 2P9367 took off from Changsha Huanghua International Airport at 5:20 p.m. local time/ [April 12] carrying essential medical cargo requested by the Philippine Red Cross,” Villaluna said.
She added that two all-cargo flights are also expected to arrive from China later on Monday carrying medical supplies, aboard flights PR 335 Xiamen to Manila, and flight PR 337 Shanghai to Manila.
The PAL Group has been busy operating cargo charters since Day 1 of the enhanced community quarantine period. The carrier said it has cargo flights from China that airlifted needed medical supplies (personal protective equipment, face masks, medicines) while PAL cargo flights to Japan carry auto parts and electronics.
PAL said domestic cargo operations also f ly medical supplies to various cities in the country, such as Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, among others.