A new air route linking Chongqing Municipality in southwest China and Dusseldorf in Germany is expected to go into operation on Sept. 30.

An Airbus A-330 passenger plane of the LTU airline company of Germany will make non-stop flights between the two cities on Wednesdays, according to sources with the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

The designated passenger plane is scheduled to arrive at Chongqing airport at 11:35 a.m. and depart Chongqing for Dusseldorf at 1:20 p.m. on Wednesdays.

All the 320 seats of the maiden flight on the new air route on Sept. 30 have been booked.

Chongqing airport sources said the new air route will boost tourism in western China and serve as an easy way for Chinese citizens to travel to Europe and for Europeans to travel to western China.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport now operates several international air routes linking the city with Seoul, Tokyo, Nagoya and Bangkok.

The city is now discussing with relevant partners the possibility of opening air routes to Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and North America.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2003)