Today, Sunday 29^th March at 15:45, Aer Lingus flight EI 9019 EI-EAV an Airbus A330 ‘St Ronán’ returned to Dublin Airport from Beijing Capital International Airport, the first flight of a Critical Supply Operation contracted by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

This Critical Supply Operation involves the transportation of medical equipment comprising Personal Protective Equipment including masks, goggles, gloves and gowns procured by the HSE. Aer Lingus will fly up to five flights per day and the overall operation is likely to run for two months.

There will be five pilots, two engineers and one ground operations team member on each-28 hour round trip. Upon arriving into Dublin Airport, the cargo will be offloaded by Aer Lingus, IAG Cargo and Irish Defence Forces.

Aer Lingus CEO Sean Doyle said:

“These are unprecedented and extraordinarily challenging times, not only for us as an airline, but for the entire nation and the health and wellbeing of all Irish citizens.

“Over the past week there has been a monumental effort across all teams in Aer Lingus to get this Critical Supply Operation off the ground for the State and the HSE. We are committed to helping supply the essential medical equipment and supplies that our country needs for the fight against Covid19.  We are delighted to be able to assist in this way.”

IAG Cargo CEO Lynne Embleton said:

“At IAG Cargo our focus for the coming weeks and months is to keep vital supplies moving around the world. We’re incredibly proud to be working with the Irish government so they can charter our passenger airlines for cargo and import Personal Protective Equipment which will keep healthcare workers safe as they fight this pandemic.”

Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) spokesperson Evan Cullen said:

“The Aer Lingus pilot body is committed to playing a part in transporting much needed medical supplies to Ireland to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. IALPA (including IALPA Safety & Technical Committee) has been involved throughout this process.”

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

Flight details:

28 March, EI 9018 Dublin to Beijing Capital International Airport

29 March, EI 9019 Beijing Capital International Airport to Dublin Airport

Crew members:

• Captain Brian O’Sullivan
• Captain Pat O’Driscoll
• First Officer David Morrissey
• First Officer Shane McNicholas
• First Officer Kieran Chappell
• Liam Lynch, Engineer
• James Murphy, Engineer
• Niall Schweppe, Ground Operations