CHONGQING -- A direct flight between the southwestern Chinese municipality of Chongqing and Europe will start on May 9, said local Chinese airport authorities.

Finnair will operate the Chongqing-Helsinki direct route with four regular flights on each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, according to a spokesman with the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

The direct route will take nine hours and 25 minutes using the Airbus A340.

It will be the first direct flight between the European city and an inland city in western China.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport has opened 15 international air routes to date, including ones to Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore and Phuket.