A cargo plane carrying medical supplies and daily necessities is ready to depart from Wenzhou to Milan, Italy on Nov 29. [Photo/wzair.cn]

A cargo plane carrying 25.8 tons of COVID-19 detection kits and daily necessities departed from Wenzhou in East China's Zhejiang province to Milan, Italy on Nov 29.

It marked the opening of the first international air cargo route operated by Wenzhou Airport, as well as the only cargo route in Zhejiang province to head to Italy with "passenger to freighter conversions".

Milan is one of the main localities where overseas Chinese originally from Wenzhou live in Europe. Overseas Chinese there have donated tons of medical supplies to help their hometown solve its urgent needs when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020.

To return the kindness of these countrymen residing abroad, Wenzhou decided to launch the direct air cargo route, which can help them counter repeated COVID-19 outbreaks, as well as can enhance the city's international transportation capabilities, facilitate the development of cross-border e-commerce, and further support the improvement of its air cargo network.

On the initial cargo flight, the cargo consisted of 800 cartons of COVID-19 detection kits manufactured in China, as well as daily necessities like clothes, shoes, and stainless steel products.

The plane will shuttle between the Eastern and Western cities twice a week.

Direct air cargo routes departing from Wenzhou to Los Angeles, the United States and Tokyo, Japan will be launched within the year.

A staff member works on the final inspection of the cargo plane on Nov 29. [Photo/wzair.cn]