WFS processes medical cargo for Italian hospitals

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) is playing its role in the fight against coronavirus by processing urgent cargo, such as medical supplies, at Milan’s Malpensa Airport.

WFS recently handled cargo sent on special China Eastern Airways charter flights, organised by the Chinese government, from Shanghai in China to Milan in Italy, which carried 20 tonnes of medical supplies to help deal with the coronavirus crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 3,400 people in Italy.

The special charter flights also brought more doctors to Italy and repatriated 187 Chinese citizens from Italy to Wenzhu in southern Zhejiang Province.

“This is one of the ultimate examples of the important role the airline and cargo handling industries play at times of national and international crisis,” said Massimiliano Introini, managing director of WFS in Italy. “We must ensure these vital supply lines remain open”.

The WFS team immediately processed and cleared the medical cargo, so it could be dispatched to hospitals in Milan, Venice, Padoa and Siena.

WFS has said that over the next few days and weeks, it expects to handle more charters into Italy and that it will continues to give its full support to the relief effort taking place across the country.

Introini commented: “Cargo handling specialists at airports around the world are playing a vital role in helping governments and the healthcare sector deal with the urgent medical response to the outbreak of Covid-19.

“In Milan, we were able to ensure that by 8:00pm on the day that the medical supplies had arrived, they were delivered to Protezione Civile, Italy’s emergency agency, to be distributed to various hospitals.

“We are ready to support more such flights to ensure life-saving equipment reaches patients as quickly as possible”.

Showing appreciation for his staff, Introini added: “I also want to knowledge the commitment of our team for ensuring this particular project was completed so efficiently and for all their hard work and support during such a difficult time for the Italian population.

“The health and wellbeing of our staff, alongside the safety and security of our operations, remains our highest priority and we will continue to take the necessary measures to protect all the people involved in this essential work.”