Tianjin Airlines launched a new international round-trip flight linking Guiyang, Guizhou province, to Osaka, Japan, on Friday.

Operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, the new international air route currently provides the only Osaka-destined direct flight services in the province, with three round-trip flights scheduled per week.

The launch is expected to aid air travel between Guizhou and Japan and open a door to increased China-Japan exchanges in tourism and business, industry insiders said.

The Guiyang-Osaka flight is scheduled for Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with its outbound trip taking off from Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport at 11:15 and arriving at Kansai International Airport at 16:00. Meanwhile, the inbound flight sets off from Kansai airport at 17:15 and lands at the Guiyang airport at 21:20. It takes approximately five hours to complete the one-way direct flight, according to an executive from the airline.

From Nov 29 to Dec 28, Tianjin Airlines will provide a free pickup service for passengers traveling from Guiyang to Osaka. The pickup service covers areas from Osaka Kansai airport to 24 districts across the Japanese city, enhancing travel convenience for passengers.

As a diverse city that blends tradition with modernity, and commerce with culture, Osaka offers a rich cuisine and tourism experience.

Since 2024, Japan has relaxed its travel visa policies to attract more overseas tourists, providing a conducive policy environment for people planning to visit Osaka.

The launch of the Guiyang-Osaka route has provided an aerial link for friendly exchanges between China and Japan. It is the second international direct flight route operated by Tianjin Airlines in Guiyang. The first launched on Dec 15, with four scheduled round-trip flights between the provincial capital and Singapore.

Devoted to boosting regional economic development, Tianjin Airlines has long valued its air route network expansion in Southwest China. It has mobilized its fleet to offer flight services in three cities in Guizhou, including Zunyi and Maotai, enabling the province to connect with 21 major Chinese cities, such as Sanya in Hainan province; Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region; Xi'an in Shaanxi province; and Tianjin.

An executive of Tianjin Airlines' Guizhou business told media that the airline will continue to take Guiyang as a crucial international aviation hub in Southwest China; focus on the development of regional civil aviation transportation; open up more international routes and provide rich travel choices and premier service experiences for passengers in the southwestern region.