The first direct flight linking the capitals of China and Germany launched in Beijing at 2:30 PM on Friday.

Each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, Hainan Airlines takes off from Beijing at 2:30 PM and reaches Berlin at 6 PM local time. The return flight takes off from Berlin at 8:20 PM and reaches Beijing at 11:10 AM the next morning.

Airbus A330-200 aircraft will operate on the route.

Hainan Airlines is cooperating with Berlin Airlines to expand its service network to more German and European cities. Passengers from Germany can now transfer to 45 Chinese cities via Beijing.

Hainan Airlines President Wang Yingming said operation of the new route would promote bilateral economic and cultural cooperation between Beijing and Berlin.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)