Abuduerxiti Abulaiti prepares for a flight at the Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on April 17. WANG FEI/XINHUA

Abuduerxiti and his colleagues walk to their plane. WANG FEI/XINHUA

The captain prepares for an Urumqi Air flight from the airport. WANG FEI/XINHUA

Abuduerxiti gives a briefing to members of his flight team at the Urumqi airport on April 17. WANG FEI/XINHUA

Abuduerxiti Abulaiti prepares for a flight at the Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on April 17. WANG FEI/XINHUA

Abuduerxiti Abulaiti prepares for a flight at the Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on April 17. WANG FEI/XINHUA