The first direct flight between Shanghai and South America opened on Thursday as a Boeing 777-200 from Mexico City arrived at Pudong International Airport at 6:28 a.m.

The twice-weekly AM099 flight run by Mexican national carrier Aero Mexico takes off from Shanghai at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday.

The flight takes 15 hours. Previously, passengers from Mexico to Shanghai had to transfer at San Francisco, Chicago or Tokyo. The direct flight can now save them three to four hours.

(CRI May 31, 2008)