After flying over 38,000 km in some 56 hours, the first-ever direct flight from China to Argentina landed in Buenos Aires on Saturday, carrying urgently-needed medical supplies to tackle the COVID-19 disease outbreak.

Argentina and China set up the first-ever direct flight over the weekend to supply the South American country with much-needed medical equipment.

The first flight, landing on Saturday at the Ezeiza International Airport in the capital, delivered some 13 tons of supplies from Shanghai, including vital personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

"We are very happy, satisfied and moved," said Governor of Buenos Aires Axel Kicillof as he welcomed the shipment.

"Today the whole world knows how difficult it is to get personal protective equipment and items amid the pandemic," Kicillof said, noting that Saturday's cargo will be distributed to medical workers throughout the province.

The 56-hour flight, with a refueling stop in Auckland, was carried out by Argentina Airlines (AR), and required a crew of 12 pilots and copilots, four technicians and two dispatchers to coordinate the cargo.

Located in the southwestern hemisphere, Buenos Aires, is one of the most distant cities from Shanghai, which adds challenges to set up direct flights between the two cities.

With no previous experience flying between the two countries, flight experts and technicians had to first work out the logistics of the route, which involved adapting an Airbus 330-200 passenger plane, so it could transport 84 percent more cargo than usual.

The second plane took off from Argentina on Friday afternoon to pick up over 13 tons of medical cargo in Shanghai, and is expected to return on Tuesday.

The bilateral initiative embodies the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

According to AR, another six flights are scheduled for April 20, 23 and 28 and May 4, 6 and 8.