CHENGDU - A direct air route has been launched between London and the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu.

Air China said it would offer three round-trip flights each week via Airbus A330-300 aircraft between Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and London.

The flight takes off from Chengdu at 3:45 pm local time every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrives at London Gatwick at 8 pm local time. The returning flight departs from London at 10 pm and lands in Chengdu at 3:40 pm local time next day. A single trip will take less than 11 hours.

This is the third direct air route operated by Air China to connect Chengdu and Europe. Besides London, it also flies routes to Frankfurt, Germany and Paris, France.