UK carriers Virgin Atlantic and easyJet are among those encouraging grounded staff to become NHS volunteers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The airlines have asked them to consider joining the teams at the new Nightingale hospitals being rapidly built to support Covid-19 patients and in need of additional staff.
Project Nightingale is opening new temporary COVID-19 hospitals being in London’s Excel centre, plus Birmingham and Manchester and is already training volunteers to work alongside NHS staff as support workers.
Airline staff are particularly well-suited to the programme as many of them are first aiders and have already been given security clearance as part of the job.
“We have all needed the NHS at some point in our lives and so we are so proud that our crew can now help to support the NHS at this crucial time,” said Tina Milton, director of cabin services for easyJet.
Corneel Koster, chief customer officer at Virgin Atlantic, adds: “The authorities recognise the value and experience our medically trained cabin crew and trainers will bring to the incredible Nightingale Hospital initiative.”
