Direct flight links China's Shanghai, Nepal

An air route linking east China's Shanghai with Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, was launched on Saturday, marking the start of a direct flight between the two destinations.

Currently, the Airbus A320 aircraft that operates the round-trip service is planned to operate every Saturday. Shanghai Airport Authority has announced that the air service would be extended to run twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning on Dec. 20.

The opening of the direct flight route will build a new bridge for the "air Silk Road" in South Asia, which will better promote the economic and trade exchanges, cultural exchanges and tourism development between China and Nepal, the airport authority said.

Currently, 274 destinations in 45 countries are connected by regular flights operated by 101 airlines from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.