New direct flight route links Chinese capital, UAE's Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route between the Chinese capital of Beijing and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been launched, marking the first direct connection between the two capitals operated by a Chinese airline.

The inaugural flight, operated by Air China and carrying 278 passengers, landed at Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport late Saturday night. The route, operated by