In the morning, Delhi customs said in a statement that the medical aid onboard the aircraft was cleared within 25 minutes of its landing…reports Asian Lite News.
The world’s largest cargo plane, Antonov AN 124-100, has landed at the Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport on Sunday morning, carrying three oxygen generators and 1,000 ventilators from the United Kingdom.
In the morning, Delhi customs said in a statement that the medical aid onboard the aircraft was cleared within 25 minutes of its landing.
Experts said the aircraft had flown into the country even in the past to deliver Delhi Metro wagons, specialist construction equipment and military cargo, the Hindustan Times reported.
The 24-wheeler Russian-made aircraft departed from Belfast airport late on Saturday night and landed at the Delhi airport at 8.30 am on Sunday, the report added.
“The UK sends life-saving support for India in the world’s largest cargo plane. Three oxygen generation units arrived in India today. Each capable of producing 500 litres of oxygen per minute. It will help save lives and support India’s healthcare system,” British high commission in New Delhi tweeted.
Each of the three oxygen generation units – the size of 40ft freight containers – produces 500 litres of oxygen per minute, enough for 50 people to use at a time, it said.
“Taking forward our comprehensive strategic partnership, consignment of 3 oxygen generators and 1,000 ventilators arrives from the UK… Deeply value the contribution from our close friend,” the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
The Antonov AN 124-100 – the world’s largest air cargo carrier – is 70 metres long and nearly 75 meters wide. The plane, which weighs around 1.8 lakh kilograms, usually has six crew members and two loadmasters.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had said that “The UK is sending surplus oxygen generators from Northern Ireland to India. This life-saving equipment will support the country’s hospitals as they care for vulnerable Covid patients.”
India is currently dealing with a second COVID-19 wave that has swept through the nation, straining the country’s health infrastructure and overburdening frontline medical workers.
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