Qatar Airways to airlift 300 tonnes of medical supplies to India free of charge

Qatar Airways is supporting international efforts to tackle the second COVID-19 surge in India by shipping medical aid and equipment to the country.

New Delhi: Qatar Airways on Thursday said it will airlift 300 tonnes of medical items to India on Monday from various global suppliers free of charge.

India is struggling with the second wave of coronavirus infection as hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

In a statement, Qatar Airways said: "The airline intends to transport 300 tonnes of aid from across its global network to Doha where it will be flown in a three-flight cargo aircraft convoy directly to destinations in India where it is most desperately needed."

The cargo shipment will include PPE equipment, oxygen canisters, and other essential medical items, and consists of donations by individuals and companies around the world in addition to existing cargo orders, it noted.

Read: Qatar Airways flight with 243 Canadians on board departs from Amritsar

The airline said it will be transporting these items "free of charge from global suppliers".

Read: Australia protests Qatar airport's exams of women passengers

India saw a record single-day rise of 3,79,257 new coronavirus infections pushing the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,83,76,524, while active cases crossed the 30-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday morning.

Read: 263 stranded people leave for Heathrow from Amritsar

The death toll increased to 2,04,832 with a record 3,645 daily new fatalities.

PTI