With China Eastern Airlines introducing direct flights between Kolkata and Kunming from October 29, Kolkata is set to get its first direct link with China.

The non-stop direct service flights will operate thrice a week between Kolkata and Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, located in the southwestern part of China, said Ginger Jiang Wei, representative in India for China Eastern Airlines.

The airline, which started its India operations five years ago, currently operates on the New Delhi-Shanghai route. CEA is also preparing to expand and might consider introducing services from other Indian cities such as Mumbai, Chennai or Bangalore, if profitable.

The details of the expansion plans are, however, yet to be worked out, Mr. Jiang Wei said.