Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines became the first privately owned carrier in China to launch an intercontinental direct flight, as the carrier's first air journey between Shanghai and Helsinki, Finland, took off on Friday.

The new long-haul daily route, which will be flown with a Boeing 787 aircraft, aims to offer more choices to Chinese travelers visiting Europe, especially its northern region.

"Helsinki is one of the world's most dynamic cities. There are quite a few companies from Finland and northern Europe that made Shanghai their regional headquarters. As a result, travel demand between northern Europe and Asia has been continuously on the rise," said Wang Junjin, chairman of Juneyao Group and Juneyao Airlines, at the direct flight launch ceremony.

In the meantime, travelers in Shanghai and the surrounding Yangtze River Delta region are looking forward to more options for direct flights to northern Europe as well as the rest of the continent.

"The new direct flight was set up to meet the demand for business, trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the Yangtze River Delta region and Europe," said Wang.

As of April, Juneyao Airlines has been operating more than 140 domestic and international flights with its fleet of 72 aircraft.