Arab News Japan

Major Japanese airlines Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) said they will use their cabin space designated for passengers to transport medical supplies such as gowns and face masks amid the coronavirus outbreak.

With the drop in the number of passengers, the two airlines were forced to cancel 90 percent of their international flights.

The companies said they will take advantage of the space, adding that the cargo compartment of passenger jets is often fully loaded even if the cabin is empty.

Medical supplies will be placed in the overhead storage compartments as well as on the empty passenger seats.

According to NHK, Japan Airlines says it will start using cabin lockers on its flights from China on Monday. All Nippon Airways says it will use the seats on a trial basis as early as this week.

ANA said its 200-seater passenger jet and a cargo compartment combined can carry about 22 tons of supplies.