BEIJING, March 18, 2015 (Antara/PRNewswire) -- Air China will commence the only direct route from China to Belarus and Hungary on May 1, 2015, meeting the needs of more travelers to Europe and opening doors to quaint Russian architecture and the charming 'Gem on the Danube'.

The four-time weekly Beijing-Minsk-Budapest services operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with outbound flights departing Beijing at 13:00 Beijing time, arriving in Minsk at 16:50 local time and Budapest at 18:20 local time. The return flight leaves Budapest at 19:00 and arrives in Beijing at 11:50 Beijing time the following day. The route will use the Airbus A330-200, onboard which all service classes are fitted with personal entertainment systems while Business Class offers full-flat seats, guaranteeing a pleasant journey.

Minsk is the capital and political, economic, technological and cultural center of Belarus, and home to the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Now the capital of Hungary, in its early days Budapest was two cities -- Bada and Pest -- occupying both sides of the Danube. In 1873, they merged to become today's BudapestWith exchanges between China and Europe increasing, market demand for air transportation has been growing rapidly. In 2014, the passenger throughput of Minsk airport experienced a robust 19% increase over the previous year while 2015 marks the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary. Official statistics suggest that since Hungary was formally opened to Chinese tourists in 2003, the numbers visiting the country has been increasing 15% year on year, making Hungary one of the most important Eastern European destinations for Chinese tourists.

As the largest carrier between China and Europe, Air China offers over 100 flights between the two, serving such important European cities as London, Paris, Munich, Vienna and Barcelona. The new Beijing - Minsk - Budapest route will bring the number of European destinations Air China serves up to 18 and the number of routes the carrier operates to 19. It will further promote economic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe and expand Air China's route network in Europe.

With Air China's extensive global route network hubbed in Beijing and the airline's admission to the Star Alliance, passengers can easily get to 1,328 airports in 195 countries around the world.

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