More than 1,000 cargo-only flights since March
Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, Swiss International Air Lines has carried over 23,000 t of goods on more than 1,000 cargo-only flights, operated by its airfreight division Swiss Worldcargo.
During the months of April and May, the major commodities transported were medicines and medical supplies supporting the Swiss population and economy. Since then the focus has been on the transportation of commercial cargo.
A number of these cargo-only flights have been charter flights in which goods are carried mainly in the cargo hold. Swiss also uses the economy class cabin area on its three converted B777-300 to ship cargo.
Since July, commercial cargo items are also transported within its cabins, following the approval received from the Swiss authorities. Previously this space was limited to protective medical gear and related humanitarian goods. (ah)