China's Hainan Airlines launched direct flights between the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen and the Austrian capital Vienna on Saturday.

Hainan Airlines signed a letter of intent for cooperation with Vienna International Airport during the Boao Forum for Asia in April this year, outlining a plan to launch a non-stop air route between Shenzhen and Vienna.

The airline operates a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the new route, with two round-trip flights per week.

(Cover: Chinese Ambassador to Austria Li Xiaosi (C) attends a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Vienna International Airport in Vienna, Austria, October 20, 2018. /Xinhua Photo)