China Southern Airlines opened the new direct flight between Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Pakistan's second largest city of Lahore on June 21st. This is China Southern Airlines' second international flight from Xinjiang to Pakistan.
The new air route is operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft. It is scheduled to depart from Urumqi at 8:00 a.m. Beijing time on every Thursday and Sunday, and arrive in Lahore at 8:15 a.m. local time. The flight takes about three hours. The return flight will take off at 9:35 a.m. local time and arrive in Urumqi at 3:20 p.m. Beijing time.
Urumqi is just like a piece of emerald set at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. As the home to 49 minority ethnic groups, this graceful city is an important stop along the ancient Silk Road, leading to Central Asia and even as far as Europe. China Southern Airlines will provide more premium service to promote the travel industry in Urumqi and help boost the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.