BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The fleet size of China's all-cargo freighters is 173, representing an initial stage but promising prospect of the air cargo industry in China, according to the civil aviation authorities.
The number of all-cargo freighters is only around 4.5 percent of the country's civil transport airplanes, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
To date, there are a total of 55 airlines in China, among which 10 are focusing on the air cargo business.
As of the 10 air cargo-oriented airlines, six are state-owned enterprises and four others are run by the social capital, according to the CAAC.
Air cargo transport is playing essential roles in China's anti-epidemic fight thanks to its unique advantages in high speed and high-quality transportation of emergency medical and other supplies.
Moreover, the air cargo sector also represents crucial support of China for the international prevention and control of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
China will take further steps to boost the country's international air freight capacity to stabilize supply chains.
The civil aviation authorities will support and encourage the development of the air cargo sector, expanding the size of the fleet and supporting new business models according to the sector, said CAAC.
