BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China Southern Airlines, Asia's largest carrier, will implement comprehensive digitalized pre-selection to seats on its domestic flights since Jan. 1, 2019, said the airline Tuesday.

As a major part of the digitalization services, the airline will introduce digitalized seat pre-selection as well as paperless boarding on flights on its domestic routes.

These moves target further uplifting the passenger flight experience while responding to the Chinese civil aviation authorities' initiatives of environment-friendly travel, the company said.

The Guangzhou-based company has a fleet of more than 800 aircraft, ranking the third worldwide.

In 2017, the airline provided flight services to 126 million passenger trips. Among which, 108 million were on their domestic routes.

After purchasing a ticket from China Southern Airlines, passengers can select their seats via multiple official channels of the airline, such as its official website, mobile app and WeChat applet.

Holding the digital boarding pass, passengers will be able to pass airport security checks and board the aircraft at airports that are equipped to receive passengers with digital passes.

To date, there are about 40 Chinese airports that support digital boarding passes.

For passengers who do not select their seats, the airline will distribute their seats under the principles of meeting the safety requirements and load balance of the aircraft.

Unaccompanied children, seniors, pregnant women, military personnel and other passengers who need special assistance will receive preferential treatment by allowing them to choose seats that are most convenient for them.

In 2017, China recorded 549 million air passenger trips, a 12.6 percent year-on-year increase, according to statistics from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.