Baotou Airport in Baotou city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, started operating a new air route to Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province on April 18, in another example of the airport's expansion and resumption of services, according to Baotou Daily.

The direct flight, operated by Shandong Airlines using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, is scheduled to fly once a day.

The flight departs Jinan at 7:05 and arrives in Baotou at 8:50. The return flight departs Baotou at 9:35 and arrives in Jinan at 11:10.

The opening of the route completes an "air bridge" between North and East China.

The launch of this route also further enhances the interconnection between Baotou and Jinan, promotes regional cooperation and development and economic and cultural exchanges, and provides faster and more convenient travel options for passengers.