GEODIS has been commissioned by the French Government to organise the emergency supply of millions of masks from China to France.
In order to respond to requests from the national authorities, GEODIS is planning some 16 flights over the coming weeks, representing in volume terms approximately 2,400 cubic metres of capacity weekly. If necessary, this schedule could be extended into the month of May.
For this operation, which has been mounted in record time, GEODIS has chartered two Antonov 124 aircraft which will operate in rotation between France and China. The French Minister of Solidarity and Health has said that this air bridge was part of the expected delivery to France of 1bn masks over the next 14 weeks.
The first flight from Shenzhen airport, containing 8.5m masks, arrived in France on March 30 via Paris-Vatry airport. A second flight is scheduled for later this week that will carry 13m more masks.