They are usually vested in the President of the Republic and the ministers, but the famous "Falcon" planes now carry white coats. "War situation" requires, the army is mobilized in the fight against the Covid-19, and the requisitions also include the government's air fleet. During the night of Monday to Tuesday, a Falcon 7X landed on one of the runways at Lorraine airport. On board, teams from Nancy and Metz hospitals, as well as eight respirators returning from Bordeaux after the transfer, by TGV, of patients from Covid-19.
@lorraineairport yesterday welcomed the medical teams of samu 54 and 57 ✈️. Back from Bordeaux, they had helped transfer patients with # COVID19 by medical TGV. # MerciANosSoignants # TousUnisContreLeViruspic.twitter.com / l5I65HuMpW
- LORRAINE AIRPORT (@lorraineairport) March 30, 2020>> LIVE - Follow the evolution of the situation on Sunday, April 5
"There is always a Falcon available for evacuations"
It is the crisis center of the Ministry of Health which charters this type of flight, because the entire government fleet is currently available. Even the A330 of the President of the Republic was used. "As soon as a need is identified, we use one of these planes," explains an adviser. Contacted, the Ministry of the Armies specifies "that there is always a Falcon available to make evacuations".
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The army carried out 20% of patient transfers from the Covid-19 in France and in Europe
Because even before the coronavirus epidemic, these business jets were not only used for ministerial delegations. Belonging to the Air Force and piloted by soldiers, these jets actually fly throughout the year during medical operations. For example, when a French soldier is injured abroad, a Falcon can take off in less than three hours from the Villacoublay base with an entire medical facility. Round trips have become frequent with Mali.
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And the ballet that took place in the night from Monday to Tuesday at Lorraine airport is not the first to be performed and is not likely to be the last. Since the start of the epidemic, the army has carried out 20% of the transfers of patients from the Covid-19 to France and Europe, whether by plane, helicopter or boat.