China Eastern Airlines has launched its non-stop flight between Nanjing and Vancouver.

The new flight originates in Kunming and is operated three times a week with an Airbus A330-200.

“As we expand our trade network into China’s mid-sized cities, direct transportation connections like this one will play a major role in driving two-way trade and partnerships,” said Teresa Wat, the province of British Columbia’s minister of international trade and Asia-Pacific strategy and multiculturalism. “It will also help us build on the MoU between B.C. and the Jiangsu provincial government aimed at strengthening trade ties and growing the technology sector in both provinces.”

According to the Vancouver Airport Authority, the flight is expected to create more than 162 jobs throughout British Columbia and will generate an additional C$9.5 million (US$7.1 million) in GDP.

China Eastern also flies from Shanghai and Kunming non-stop to Vancouver.

The schedule for the new flight is as follows.