A Boeing 777 aircraft flown by British Airways pilot Charles Price arrived in Singapore yesterday and will bring tonnes of PPE, including gowns, for NHS workers back to the UK

A British Airways passenger plane is set to land in the UK carrying tonnes of personal protective equipment (PPE) for NHS staff.

Striking images show a Boeing 777, which would normally be filled with travellers, crammed with crucial medical supplies destined for the UK.

The PPE, which is vital to protect doctors and nurses treating highly contagious Covid-19 patients, has been strapped into seats and stored in overhead lockers as well as the plane’s cargo hold.

The plane arrived in Singapore yesterday (April 22) and is being flown back to the UK by pilot Charles Price.

Its cargo includes gowns, which are in such short supply that health bosses warned that some NHS trusts could “run out” last weekend.

Posting on Twitter, Captain Price said: “Just completed a run down to Singapore to collect literally tonnes of PPE and bring back to London Heathrow 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.”

The pilot added that under strict quarantine rules, he has not been allowed to sightsee on his layover.

“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,” he continued.

“We’re just delivering equipment for the real front-line workers.”

British Airways has grounded most of its fleet due to the coronavirus pandemic and the travel restrictions which are in place across the globe.

However, it has been helping the UK Government and Foreign & Commonwealth Office to collect PPE supplies from overseas, including from Shanghai and Beijing.

It comes after a national alert was issued to all 217 NHS trusts last Friday over shortages of vital kit.

NHS Providers, which represents hospitals, went as far as to warn that “it is clear some trusts will run out of fully fluid-repellent gowns this weekend.”

Read full originally published story at mirror.co.uk