Non-stop flight links Shenzhen with Vienna

SHENZHEN, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- A non-stop flight has been launched between the city of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province and Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.

The inaugural flight using Boeing 787 Dreamliner left Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport at 1:30 a.m. and landed at Vienna International Airport at 7:50 a.m. local time. The journey took around 12 hours and 20 minutes.

The flight, operated by Hainan Airlines, is scheduled to depart Shenzhen every week on Thursday and Saturday.

The return flight departs from Vienna at 11:45 a.m. local time and arrives in Shenzhen at 5:00 a.m.

Friedrich Stift, Ambassador of Austria to China, said he saw great potential for this flight as it will make exchanges in business, science and culture between the two countries much easier.

"The launch of the new flight between Shenzhen and Vienna has increased the number of international flights between the city and Europe, setting up a firm bridge to promote trade, cultural exchange and tourism between China and Europe," said Xu Jun, president of Hainan Airlines.