Air France cargo flights back on runway on coronavirus mask mission

Air France is arranging to repatriate a cargo pilot who tested positive for Covid-19 last week after landing in the country on a flight to pick up medical supplies.

The carrier said on Thursday that the pilot is “no longer under observation in a medical centre” and it was working with consular authorities to repatriate the pilot at the “earliest convenience”.

Air France suspended its cargo flights transporting medical equipment and masks between Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and Shanghai after the pilot tested positive.

The flights had resumed and now included a crew rest stop in Seoul, the airline said.

From Thursday, the company would use freighters or commercial Boeing 777s, of which only the holds would be loaded.