It's smiles all round as Jilin University students get together at Changchun Longjia International Airport before their flights. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

With 143 students from Jilin University (or JLU) on board, China Southern Airlines flight CZ377X – from Changchun in Northeast China's Jilin province to Zhengzhou in Central China's Henan province – took off from Changchun Longjia International Airport on Dec 3.

It marked the first special flight operated by the airlines for the students of JLU – whose campus is located in Changchun, capital of Jilin province – according to local media reports. The students were headed back home for their winter vacation. 

On Nov 29, after receiving travel requests from Jilin University, the Jilin Branch of China Southern Airlines held a deployment meeting and set up a special working group to study and formulate a customized flight plan for the students returning home.

JLU students get in line at the airport on Dec 3 [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

According to the needs of students returning home, China Southern Airlines actively determined flight dates and times, and customized charter flights linking with Zhengzhou and Chongqing.

At the same time, staff members were directed to assist the university in collecting student information and publicizing policies on COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

On the day of the flight, the ground service department opened a dedicated check-in counter at the airport to quickly check in the students and at the same time arranged a special assistant to guide the students to board the plane.

Moving forwards, the Jilin Branch of China Southern Airlines will focus on the needs of passengers and implement customized flights and tasks, so as to contribute to the economic development and foreign exchanges of Jilin province.

A student checks in at the airport, on Dec 3. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]