China has launched a direct flight from its capital Beijing to Lhasa, capital of occupied Tibet. The direct flight service of Air China started operation from July 10, reported tibetinfor.com, a Chinese government-funded website that provides Tibet-related news.
The Beijing-Lhasa direct air-route replaced the Beijing-Chengdu-Lhasa line, also operated by Air China. The introduction of the new line has reduced travel time by two hours. The total travel time between Beijing and Lhasa is 4 hours compared to 48 hours on the Qinghai-Tibet railway which began operation on July 1. There will be one flight every day using better A330 airplane, said the report dated July 14.
However, the transit stopover in Chengdu city will continue when the flight makes its way back to Beijing from Lhasa to ensure maximum ticket occupancy rate.
