Shenzhen Airlines on Tuesday launched the first non-stop flight between the southern Chinese boom town of Shenzhen and London.

The first flight on the new route took off from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to Shenzhen Airlines.

The route will be operated by Airbus-A330, with three round trips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The company said the opening of the Shenzhen-London route will make it more convenient for local passengers to visit London for business and sightseeing.

The Bao'an airport earlier said it would open direct flights to more cities this year to boost links with Europe, North America and Oceania.