Air China will launch direct flight from Beijing to Pyongyang on Jan. 2, 2008, a senior executive of the Chinese carrier said on Nov. 18.

The departure time of flight CA121 at Beijing's Capital International Airport is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The arrival time in Pyongyang is 4:45 p.m.

The returning flight CA122 will leave Pyongyang at 5:45 p.m. on the same dates, and will arrive in Beijing at 6:30 p.m.

The flight schedule uses local time, with Pyongyang one hour ahead of Beijing.

The new route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft.

"The new route will offer convenience for the exchanges and cooperation between China and North Korea in culture, education and technology," said Zhang Lan, vice president of Air China.

It also provides a convenient option for passengers from Europe, the United States and Japan to travel to Pyongyang, Zhang said.

By the end of this year, Air China will have 72 international and regional routes, linking Beijing with 43 cities in 28 countries.