China Southern Airlines has become the first domestic carrier in China to be presented with the highest flight safety award issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Announced by CAAC deputy head, Li Jian, the honor comes on the back of a statement by the airline that it had recorded ten million hours of safe flying over a period of 13 consecutive years.

According to China Southern Airlines president, Si Xianmin, the carrier has now flown 540 million passengers without incident, Xinhua reported.

Carrying over 80 million passengers annually, CZ ranks as the largest carrier in Asia and the third largest airline in the world.

China Southern Airlines will launch its inaugural A380 service between Los Angeles and Guangzhou on October 12.