AIR CHINA will be launching its new Beijing-Milan route, to be serviced by an Airbus A330, on June 15. It will be the only Chinese airline that will fly direct from Milan to Beijing.

Roundtrip airfare for the flight on June 15 starts at RMB2,600 (US$399), with ticket prices for flights within the route opening period starting at RMB3,200.

Zhou Enyong, general manager of Air China's marketing department, said: “The Beijing-Milan route is an expansion of Air China's network in Europe, successfully making Air China the airline with the most European routes among China's domestic airlines.”

Air China flies the Beijing-Milan route every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The trip is 11 hours and 30 minutes for each way.