Shanghai-Karamay flights set to start

Special: Xinjiang

Flights between Shanghai and Karamay in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will be launched from Sunday, according to official sources.

China Eastern Airlines will operate flights on the new Shanghai-Xi'an-Karamay route every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, said Li Guoqiang, head of Karamay's transport bureau, during a news conference in Shanghai on Tuesday.

With the new flights, people in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region will have better opportunities to learn about Karamay, a city well-known for its fossil fuels and natural attractions, said Wang Xiaojia, head of Karamay's bureau of sports and travel.

Direct flights between Lanzhou, capital of Gansu province, and Karamay will be restored from July 8, operated by Shanghai-based budget carrier Spring Airlines, said Li.

In a bid to better implement the Belt and Road initiative, Shanghai and Karamay will seek more communications and collaborations in terms of transportation.