A new air route connecting Chongqing, the largest metropolis in western China, with Tokyo, Japan, is scheduled to be opened on April 18.

The route is to be operated by the Chongqing Branch of China Southern Airlines and will be the second direct air route between Chongqing and Japan. The city opened its first air route to Nagoya in 1996.

Return flights will be available every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Boeing 737 planes will be used to fly the new route.

An aviation official said the new route will facilitate growing economic and cultural contacts between Chongqing and Japan.

( Xinhua News Agency March 14, 2002)