In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit France hard, Paris-Vatry Airport (LFOK), located in the Marne department, became a strategic hub for the delivery of medical equipment from China. This central role was reinforced by the implementation of an unprecedented airlift, orchestrated by the logistics company Geodis on behalf of the French government.
A vital airlift
On March 30, 2020, an Antonov-124 from the Russian company Volga-Dnepr landed at Vatry, carrying 8.5 million medical masks from Shenzhen, China. This first delivery marked the beginning of a series of regular rotations between China and France, aimed at filling the critical shortage of protective equipment. A total of 16 flights were scheduled over seven weeks, using Antonov-124 aircraft capable of transporting up to 150 tons of cargo, ensuring unprecedented logistical capacity.
Enhanced security and complex logistics
Cargo security was a top priority. Hundreds of gendarmes were mobilized to secure arrivals and transport to confidential storage sites. Logistics, meanwhile, required careful coordination between French authorities, Chinese suppliers, and carriers to ensure the rapid and efficient delivery of medical equipment.
An exceptional year for Vatry
This intense activity enabled Paris-Vatry Airport to have an exceptional 2020. In the absence of passenger traffic due to the health crisis, cargo has become the airport's main activity, contributing to its financial stability after several years of deficit.
Conclusion
Paris-Vatry Airport played a crucial role in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in France by ensuring the rapid and secure delivery of millions of medical masks from China. This major logistics operation not only strengthened the protective capacity of medical personnel, but also demonstrated the resilience and efficiency of French infrastructure in the face of a global health crisis.
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