YINCHUAN, Jan. 18 -- China Eastern Airlines launched Sunday a regular direct air route between Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Bangkok, Thailand.

The 4 hours and 20 minutes two-way trip will be conducted by Airbus A320, and it's scheduled to operate every five days, the Ningxia Airport Company said.

The flight takes off from Yinchuan at 11:55 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 4:15 a.m. the next day. The returning flight departs from Bangkok at 5:15 a.m. and lands in Yinchuan at 9:20 a.m.

The new route is the first direct route linking the two cities. ' According to the company, the new airline is expected to boost economic exchange and tourism of the two cities.