The first two planes of the Polish National Flag Carrier, LOT Polish Airlines, carrying medical equipment purchased in China by Polish state-controlled mining giant KGHM, have landed in Warsaw. This is a result of arrangements made by President Andrzej Duda with the President of China, Xi Jinping. Within a few days, an air bridge is to be launched between China and Poland, which will enable a systematic supply of ventilators, masks and other types of personal protection equipment used in hospitals during the coronavirus outbreak.
Two planes carrying protective masks, goggles, gloves and other necessary medical equipment, including a batch of ventilators, have arrived in Poland. The third plane is to arrive at night.
“Barriers have been removed. The first of several planes which will fly to Poland today and in the coming days have landed at the Okęcie airport. The individual protective equipment which will be used by medical services was bought by various state-controlled Polish institutions (ARP, ARM, KGHM)”, stated president Duda on Twitter.
A special air bridge was created to transport the medical equipment. The purchase was co-financed by state-owned companies, including the Industrial Development Agency and KGHM.
“We see a great deal of commitment from volunteers. The total value of the order is 15 million zloty. We are also organizing subsequent flights in the future, so there will be much more equipment delivered”, stated Mariusz Chludziński, the president of KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.
More planes with medical equipment from China are to arrive in the coming days. Similar purchases were made by Italy, Czech Republic, Serbia and Lithuania.