The plane departed Eindhoven in the Netherlands from the European Air Transport Command, a joint EU defence initiative. The Luxembourg army coordinated with the Dutch military to organise the transport.

The ventilators were destined for New Delhi.

Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) on 30 April said Luxembourg would be sending help to India as part of the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism that pools resources and coordinates aid with member countries.

Among other supplies, the Czech Republic donated 500 oxygen cylinders, Denmark sent 53 ventilators, the Netherlands contributed 100 oxygen concentrators, 30,000 vials of antiviral drugs and 49 ventilators, while Germany also sent antiviral drugs, ventilators and an oxygen generator.

More than half of the EU’s member countries have contributed to helping India battle the coronavirus outbreak that has seen hospitals overflowing and oxygen supplies run out.

“I am proud to say EU Member States are providing substantial help as part of a Team Europe effort to show our solidarity with India at this very difficult time, offering critical oxygen, ventilators and antiviral drugs to our Indian friends. Collective action is the only solution if we want to win our fight against the pandemic,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, in a statement published last week.

At the same time as sending help to India, Luxembourg also restricted air travel from the country. Passengers from India must be able to show a negative test result upon boarding and must test upon arrival at the airport in Luxembourg. They must then quarantine for another six days and take a second test in the grand duchy. Should they refuse the tests, the quarantine time is doubled.