Yantai Penglai International Airport opened its first direct flight to Tokyo on Jan 2. It is the city's fifth flight to Japan after lines to Osaka, Nagoya, Shizuoka, and Fukuoka.

The round-trip flight, MU5031/2, which is operated by China Eastern Airlines, is scheduled to run once every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

It departs from the Yantai Penglai International Airport at 9:00 and arrives in Tokyo at 12:00. On return, it leaves Tokyo at 13:00 and arrives in Yantai at 16:30.

In recent years, the Penglai International Airport has been increasing international flights to promote overseas exchanges. The passenger throughput of the airport exceeded 10 million for the first time in 2019, joining the ranks of larger airports.

With the establishment of the Yantai area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the city has strengthened trade relations with Japan. The launch of the direct flight will help advance economic cooperation between the two sides and promote cultural exchange.