Shanghai: Air India on October 14 announced it would launch its China operations by flying to the East Chinese city of Shanghai on December 1, contributing further to the growing trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Announcing this at a tourism seminar, as part of the first-ever "India Week China", Commercial Director of Air India, V K Verma said the flight from India's commercial capital to its Chinese counterpart, Shanghai would also touch New Delhi and Bangkok.

With this, there would be two flights operating between China and India in addition to the already existing Beijing-Delhi service by the China Eastern, a major Chinese airliner, since March 2002.

Welcoming Air India's decision, Consul General of India, Shanghai, Sujan Chinoy said the move would further boost Sino-Indian relations, especially tourism.

China granting the approved destination status (ADS) to India in 2002, easing of Visa regime following visit of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in June this year and commencement of four new direct flights, two by China Eastern Airlines and Air India from December would boost tourist traffic between India and China, Chinoy said.

PTI