The Yunnan Airways of China formally opened an international air route on Monday linking Kunming and Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city Monday.

Myanmar Minister of Transport Major-General Hla Myint Swe said the opening of the air route will facilitate personnel exchange between Myanmar and China and promote the development of tourism.

General Manager of the Yunnan Airways Luo Chaogeng said the air route serves as an overhead bridge between the peoples of China and Myanmar and will enhance the economic, trade and tourism cooperation between them.

Kunming-Mandalay air route is the first international one with regular flight opened by foreign airlines linking Myanmar's second largest city.

The Mandalay international airport occupies a land area of 10, 131 hectares with a runway of 4,200 meters in length and 60 meters in width and can accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 747.

The airport, which costs US$ 150 million plus 6.496 billion Kyats (about US$ 18.56 million), was formally commissioned into service on September 17, 2000.

( People's Daily April 2, 2002)