Hainan Airlines will open an international air route from Beijing to Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan.

This is the first direct route between China and Sudan, and also the airline's second African route, following its route from Beijing to Luanda in Angola via Dubai. China and Sudan have had economic ties in recent years, with cooperation on electric power, irrigation works, roads and bridges, ports, telecommunications, and culture. The route will make it easier for business and public service passengers to travel between the two countries.

Hainan Airlines will operate the flight on Tuesdays and Fridays, leaving from Beijing at 01:30 local time and arriving at Khartoum at 09:20 local time. It will return from Sudan at 13:50 and arrive at Beijing at 05:00 local time the following day.

The airline will operate the route using Airbus A340-600 aircraft with eight first class, 60 business class, and 220 economy class seats: all of which are equipped with LCD touch screens.