BEIJING, March 21 -- Three Chinese Air Force planes have been sent to a Malaysian air base to help with the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Upon commands of the Central Military Commission, the aircraft, two IL-76 transport planes and a Yun-8 cargo plane, scrambled from an airport in south China's Sanya at about 8 a.m. Friday, said the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke.

Shen said the mission was decided according to arrangements made by China's marine salvage authority and Malaysian authorities.

To date, the Chinese Air Force has sent seven planes to the MH370 search areas, flying 41,158 km and scanning an area of 73,000 square km, according to Shen.

He said the PLA Air Force has set up a command team to direct Chinese planes' rescue operations in Malaysia, and added, "As long as there is a glimmer of hope, we will spare no efforts."