Crew members of Xiamen Airlines load materials onto an airplane at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on Feb 13. [Photo/ Official WeChat account: xiamenribao] 

A Xiamen Airlines charter airplane was dispatched to Wuhan, Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, on Feb 13 to ensure sufficient supplies for the Fujian medical teams sent to Hubei to fight the virus. 

The MF8779 flight, loaded with 11,259 kilograms of daily necessities and medical supplies, was chartered by the Fujian government.  

Since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Fujian has assisted Hubei province by sending more than 500 medical workers to Wuhan to battle the novel coronavirus.  

To date, Xiamen Airlines has sent 13 charter airplanes and delivered more than 1,600 medical staff to Wuhan, as well as over 600 metric tons of supplies.  

"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the crew members who have been supporting our efforts in fighting the epidemic, for your invaluable support in this trying time," said Han Qiuying, chief nurse from the Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University. 

According to the Fujian government, the province will step up efforts to ensure the supply of daily necessities and medical supplies for medical workers on the front line of the fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan.