BEIJING — China's civil aviation sector stepped up support amid the national campaign against the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The sector had transported 11,856 metric tons of epidemic prevention and control supplies via 9,379 flights by Feb 10, data from the ACCA showed.

A total of 2,682 tons of emergency materials had been sent to Hubei province via 280 flights from 20 airlines and 21,125 passenger trips had been operated in the fight against the epidemic, including 19,145 trips made by medical workers.

By Feb 9, China's civil airlines had brought 808 Hubei tourists stranded overseas back to China, said the ACCA.

To secure emergency transportation, the ACCA urged cargo airlines to fully support the transportation of medical and epidemic prevention materials by mobilizing resources in the global supply chain while general aviation companies were encouraged to build quick and efficient regional transportation channels.

The industry vowed to pay special attention to epidemic prevention and control during staggering return trips and the health of operational staff as well as increasing the frequency of aircraft cleaning and disinfection.

The ACCA stressed further tax and fee cuts and reorganization of companies in prioritizing capacity to ease the burden on civil aviation enterprises amid the epidemic outbreak.