Update on April 25: The Ministry of Trade and Industry has clarified that the PPE originated from a neighbouring country, we've updated the article with the clarification in full.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the airline industry.

However, airline staff and planes are not idling during this trying period as they contribute to fight the pandemic in various ways.

Lack of protective gears in the UK

As the number of Covid-19 cases continues to climb in the UK, many medical workers are running out of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns and masks.

The guidelines from Public Health England even advised healthcare workers to wear aprons if they run out of full-length gowns, The Guardian reported.

Grappling with the shortage, the government has been trying to obtain more PPEs from other countries.

A British Airways pilot recently posted photos showing a Boeing 777 plane loaded with tonnes of PPEs. 

Just completed a run down to Singapore to collect literally tonnes of PPE and bring back to #LHR for the #NHS. Full in the cargo holds, full in the cabin and full in the overhead lockers. 1000’s of protective gowns etc. Unusual look for a #B777 Feels good to be helping out. 😷👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/PK2t0ae6hj

— Chuck (@ChuckIOM) April 22, 2020

Thousands of gloves, masks and gowns loaded onto plane at Changi Airport

The pilot, named Charles Price, said that the plane's cargo space, cabin and overhead compartments was filled with PPEs at Changi Airport before it made a 13-hour flight back to Heathrow Airport in London.

Price added that he had a 28-hour layover in "complete isolation" during his time in Singapore.

Not quite, a 28 hr layover in complete isolation from arrival to departure, enforced by the Singaporean Govt. Not even allowed out of airport hotel room, at all, not even for a walk.

— Chuck (@ChuckIOM) April 22, 2020

The entire flight had no passengers and all the seats were taken by boxes of life-saving equipment including gloves, masks and gowns.

Price described this as an "unusual look" and added that he felt good to be helping out.

He also estimated the take-off-weight to be about 340 tonnes in response to a comment.

MTI: PPE originated from neighbouring country

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has clarified that the PPE originated from a neighbouring country.

The supplies were shipped to Singapore by sea before being transported to the UK via Singapore.

Here's the clarification in full:

Top photos via Charles Price/Twitter