A direct flight has been formally launched between Algiers, the capital of Algeria, and the Chinese capital Beijing.

Operated by Air Algerie using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the flight leaves Algiers for Beijing every Thursday and Sunday, and returns every Friday and Monday.

According to Wu Tonggeng, vice president of Oriental Sky Aviation, the general sales agent for Air Algerie in China, the flight is the first and only non-stop route between China and Algeria. The A330-200 aircraft are configured with a total of 251 seats, including 40 business class seats, and 211 economy class seats.

Air Algerie believe that the new direct flight will serve as a new bridge to strengthen the economic and trade ties between the two countries as well as to promote their tourism development.