ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Sichuan Airlines will launch direct flights between the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou and Vancouver starting Nov. 11, Zhengzhou Airport announced Wednesday.
It will be the first direct intercontinental service for any airport in Henan Province. Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan.
The airline will operate two flights per week. A single trip will take about 12 hours, six hours shorter than current non-direct flights.
As trade between China and Canada increases, direct flights can help promote tourism and economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, the airport said.
Earlier this year, the airport launched non-direct and charter flights to the United Arab Emirates and Rome, respectively.
In the first three quarters of the year, the airport reported a passenger throughput of 15 million, including 1 million traveling to and from overseas.