UK frontline workers to benefit from Airbus mask delivery

Airbus has delivered a further 865,000 surgical masks to authorities in Britain, bringing the total number of mask deliveries since the Covid-19 crisis began to 2.25m in the UK.

Despite facing the gravest crisis in its history due to the coronavirus pandemic, the aerospace company has used its test aircraft to fly in millions of masks and PPE equipment from China to Europe.

The latest consignment of type IIR surgical masks to the UK has been distributed to localities where the company has major UK bases, including Wales, Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Portsmouth, Stevenage and Oxford; it is understood many of the masks will be distributed to care homes and other frontline services.

Airbus Senior Vice-President in the UK, Katherine Bennett CBE, said: “The pandemic has been both a global health and economic emergency but I am immensely proud that, despite our own challenges as a result of Covid-19’s impact on the aviation industry, Airbus has played its part in trying to help in this international crisis.

 “Our teams in China have helped load millions of surgical masks onto Airbus aircraft destined for Europe and the UK, and our workers in Broughton formed part of the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium to produce 14,000 ventilators for the NHS in record time. “We stand ready to continue to work with our industry partners and governments, both national and local, to assist in any way we can.”

 Airbus first delivered 400,000 surgical masks to the UK destined for the NHS in March, with a further one million Chinese-made masks arriving in Britain via Toulouse, France, in April. Following consultation with both the UK and Welsh governments, it was agreed the latest batch of 865,000 surgical masks from China should be donated to the Welsh Government and English authorities where Airbus has sites for distribution to those sectors in greatest need locally.

Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council, in the area where Airbus Helicopters UK is headquartered, received 30,000 of the masks.

Wayne Welsby, Head of Procurement & Contract Management, Commercial Development, Assets and Investment, Oxfordshire County Council & Cherwell District Council, said: “Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council thanks Airbus UK for their kind and thoughtful donation of vital face masks. We will ensure these are put to good use by our staff delivering vital services to the people of Oxfordshire, particularly our most vulnerable residents.”

 Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2019, it generated revenues of € 70 billion and employed a workforce of around 135,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Twitter: @AirbusintheUK #Covid-19