CAIRO, Nov. 29 -- The first non-stop flight from Egypt's capital Cairo to the city of Hangzhou in eastern China has taken off from the Cairo International Airport at 02:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Friday morning.
With the flight number MS953, the flight which is launched by Egypt's flag carrier EgyptAir will spend around 11 hours in the air and land on Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport at 19:00 local time (11:00 GMT).
The flight almost carries a full cabin and the environment on the flight is quite cozy, said Fu Hangliang, a passenger on the flight.
EgyptAir announced the new flight route in October and offered a 50-percent discount for the flight valid until Nov. 5 for travel from Nov. 29 till Dec. 31.
"The inauguration of the new routes comes within EgyptAir's interest in expanding in the Asian market and providing a distinctive service at a competitive price," said a statement on EgyptAir's official website.
EgyptAir, a Star Alliance member, has previously been operating daily flight to Guangzhou, three flights a week to Beijing and two flights a week to Chengdu.
Egypt is a favorable attraction to hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists each year for its historical sites and sunny sandy beaches.
Nearly half a million Chinese tourists visited Egypt in 2018 compared with only 300,000 in 2017, amid expectations of more tourists visiting the Middle Eastern country in 2019, according to official statistics.
体坛英语资讯:Onyewu, Buddle back to U.S. squad
体坛英语资讯:Maradona names 23-man World Cup squad
体坛英语资讯:Inter Milan wins Champions League
体坛英语资讯:Australian footballer Jake Melksham wins Rising Star nomination
体坛英语资讯:Milito fires Inter Milan and Mourinho to Champions League glory
体坛英语资讯:F1 to race U.S. GP in Austin
体坛英语资讯:Woods confirms to attend Memorial tourney
体坛英语资讯:China down Vietnam 5-0 to claim first victory at 17th Womens Asian Cup
体坛英语资讯:NBA Cavaliers sacks coach Brown
体坛英语资讯:Arsenal obtain Morocco striker Chamakh
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid sacks coach Pellegrini and will contract Jose Mourinho
体坛英语资讯:Sevilla wins Spains Copa del Rey
体坛英语资讯:FIFA to probe former English FA bosss bribery case
体坛英语资讯:Adriano back to Italy for Roma
体坛英语资讯:Spain coach Del Bosque looking ahead after warm-up win
体坛英语资讯:Serena beats illness to win third round at French Open
体坛英语资讯:FIFA World Cup finalists face doping tests
体坛英语资讯:Belletti of Italy seizes Tour of Italy 13th stage
体坛英语资讯:Dutch squad for World Cup
体坛英语资讯:Athletic Club Bilbao signs young striker, Martinez
体坛英语资讯:Beckham invited to help England but no coaching
体坛英语资讯:French Open could be moved out of Paris in 2016
体坛英语资讯:Barcelona extend contract for defender Gabi Milito
体坛英语资讯:US cyclist Landis admits doping
体坛英语资讯:Nadal moves on, Roddick ousted at French Open
体坛英语资讯:Barca lift Spanish La Liga title
体坛英语资讯:Italys Nibali wins 14th stage of Giro dItalia
体坛英语资讯:Stadium noise could be a problem: S African WC boss
体坛英语资讯:Richard Gasquet wins Nice Open
体坛英语资讯:Federer, Serena win opening matches at French Open