Swiss launches Beijing-Zurich flight

Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) on Sunday launched a direct flight route between Beijing and Zurich, which is expected to further promote business and travel ties between China and Switzerland. It was the company's third non-stop flight route with China after Hong Kong-Zurich and Shanghai-Zurich routes. "The route marks a new milestone in the development of our company and our network," said Harry Hohmeister, chief executive of SWISS. The route's first flight, operated with the Airbus A340-300 aircraft, departed from the Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday. The flight between the two countries takes around 10 hours, and will be available daily starting May 31. "These non-stop services should be attractive to both business and leisure travelers from the two countries," Hohmeister said. Switzerland has become a popular destination among Chinese travelers. China has replaced Japan as Switzerland's largest tourist market in Asia, with 680,000 tourist overnight stays in 2011. Urs Eberhard, executive vice president of Markets & Meetings at Switzerland Tourism, said the route will help increase overnight stays of Chinese tourists by 7 percent to 10 percent.