Free flights bring in medical supplies to HK

HONG KONG - An airplane loaded with rapid antigen test kits from Malaysia arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday less than two weeks after a batch of Lianhua Qingwen capsules, a traditional Chinese medicine approved for COVID-19 treatment for mild and moderate cases, was delivered from Shanghai to the airport.

They were all delivered by Hong Kong Air Cargo, an all-cargo airline based in Hong Kong, which has been providing a free cargo service to bring in anti-pandemic supplies to the city.

William Chan Kit, director of government and public affairs at Hong Kong Air Cargo, said a batch of rapid test kits from Suzhou is also awaiting delivery.

Chan said the company has delivered several batches of anti-pandemic materials since the fifth wave of the outbreak.

Chan, who is also a Transport subsector member of the Election Committee, pledged that the company's priority will be the transportation of anti-pandemic materials.

Chan expressed his full confidence in Hong Kong International Airport's ability to handle a great deal of supplies coming in.

The pandemic has not only taken a toll on the company's business, but also on the lives of its employees, who only go out when necessary to avoid getting infected.

Pilots also strictly abide by the government's pandemic prevention regulations, Chan added.

For foreign pilots without families in Hong Kong, their work colleagues will buy and deliver necessities to their home in their spare time. Foreign pilots have also shown their understanding and cooperation to the anti-pandemic policies, Chan said.