China ensures int'l air transport of anti-virus supplies
Photo taken on April 12, 2020 shows medical supplies to be delivered to Japan on a chartered flight in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province.
China's civil aviation authority has moved to ensure air cargo transport of supplies for the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak worldwide.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China approved 655 temporary cargo flights from April 1 to 13, up 612 percent year on year. In March, it approved 1,919 temporary cargo flights, up 435 percent year on year.
China has provided support to the international community within its capacity while ensuring its domestic epidemic control and prevention, said Jin Junhao, an official with the CAAC.
From April 13 to 19, a total of 98 carriers in the sector of scheduled air cargo transport will operate 1,690 cargo flights from China to 90 destinations in 40 countries around the world.
To support the worldwide joint efforts in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, China's civil aviation authorities and enterprises are joining hands in uplifting efficiency and capacity in air cargo transport.
SF Airlines, China's largest air cargo carrier, uses its all-cargo freighters to provide medical supplies and other necessities for daily life and work resumption.
The airline has been exploring potentials from its fleet of 58 all-cargo freighters and air logistics linking more than 60 destinations worldwide, targeting to serve the international anti-pandemic works with reliable and high-quality fast transport.
Starting from March, the cargo airline has opened five international air cargo routes to Southeast Asia and another two routes to Europe for emergency supplies.
Thanks to CAAC's "green channel" for the international air cargo transport, these new cargo air routes received support and quick approval, according to SF Airlines.
The "green channel" is among CAAC's six major measures to comprehensively ensure the international supply chain and air cargo transport.
The CAAC issues new policies and measures in reducing cost on international air cargo transport, improving approval efficiency, encouraging modified passenger aircraft for cargo missions.
Meanwhile, the CAAC also plays roles in arranging point-to-point charter cargo flights, connecting information between enterprises and carriers, and open temporary flights and charter flights for critical supplies.
