ASL Group expects 16 million mouth masks on Thursday: "Largest delivery yet"

On Thursday 2 April, between 15 and 17 million mouth masks are expected to arrive in Belgium. T

That tells the company ASL Group from Hasselt which arranges those transports. It also transported previous loads of masks and has already brought tens of Belgians back from abroad.

ASL Group is best known for business flights with private jets, but last month the Hasselt company brought millions of mouth masks to Belgium, in partnership with the cargo company ASL Airlines Belgium (formerly known as TNT Airways). The first batch included 5 million mouth masks that arrived on March 19. "It was very busy in March, busier than usual," said CEO Philippe Bodson. "Now it is getting a bit quieter."

The need for protective equipment remains high. On Thursday a large load will arrive. "We expect the largest load to date. It will be between 15 and 17 million face masks," said Bodson. That is a large number and that is why the company must provide larger aircraft. "Because it concerns large quantities and long distances, we charter a Boeing 747 of our colleagues from ASL Airlines Belgium. These are normal airlines on which we rent capacity."

Essential flights

In addition to the mouth masks, the ASL Group also brought Belgians back home, but with their own aircraft. Those flights were mainly within Europe, but also from further away. "We have flown a lot from Marrakech, but also from Tenerife." Business people are no longer allowed to fly to their destination, because these are not essential flights.

Bodson has meanwhile been able to bring many Belgians back home. "Most people have returned home within a four-hour flight from Belgium. But there are still people in Laos, for example, who we are still trying to bring home. But that is a bit more difficult."