Francesco Rocca (L, Front), National President of the Italian Red Cross Association, welcomes a Chinese aid team at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy, on Match 12, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

Chinese airlines have sent seven special flights to evacuate 1,101 stranded citizens overseas since early March 4, said an aviation official on Monday.

The Chinese aviation authority also arranged another six flights for relief supplies and medical personnel to support other coronavirus-hit countries, said Zhu Tao, Director of Flight Standard Division of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) at a press briefing.

The aviation department will consider more similar operations based on the virus situation overseas, said Zhu.

Though some foreign air companies set travel restrictions to Chinese destinations, China ruled out the possibility of suspending its civil flights. 

CAAC divides flights into three categories according to the level of infection risk. The onboard anti-contagion requirements for both passengers and crew will step up if the flights carry a higher risk.

(Compiled by Chen Lidan)