Covid 19 coronavirus: First Air NZ freight flight to Shanghai to take off

The first Air NZ freight flight to Shanghai will take off Monday evening carrying time-sensitive exports - and will return with essential goods and equipment. The Government said it has fast-tracked $1m in funding from its $600m aviation support package to make sure the airline remains financially viable and could get it off the ground quickly. Transport Minister Phil Twyford said it was crucial that goods such as medical supplies and food continued to flow freely - and that New Zealand exporters could get their goods to market during the Covid-19 global pandemic. Monday's Air NZ flight to Shanghai will be loaded with time-sensitive New Zealand exports and will return carrying essential goods and equipment, Twyford said. "We are focusing on maintaining good stocks of all essential medicines, equipment and critical products." Twyford said the aviation support package ensured key air channels to international markets stayed open and that there was huge demand for air freight from both importers and exporters. <br/>