A regular direct flight between Shanghai and Venice, Italy was officially launched this Tuesday, sources from the East China Air Traffic Control Bureau said.

There were no previous direct flights between the two cities.

According to the sources, Boeing 767 planes will be used for the route operated by Italy’s Blue Panorama Airlines.

The plane takes off in Venice at 6:55 am Beijing time on Wednesday and arrives at Pudong Airport of Shanghai at 6:20 pm. The plane then leaves Pudong Airport two hours later.

(Beijing Weekend January 14, 2005)