China Southwest Airlines will open a new route on March 28 linking China's metropolis Shanghai with Xi'an and Lhasa, capitals of Shaanxi Province and Tibet Autonomous Region, respectively.

The move is apace with a government-initiated program to accelerate the development of China's vast western region, said an official of the company.

Boeing 757-200 aircraft will fly from Shanghai to Lhasa via Xi' an every Wednesday and Sunday. The 3,250-km air route takes 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Passenger planes will take off at 7:50 a.m. from Shanghai and land at Lhasa at 13:10 p.m., with the stopover at Xi'an lasting for one hour.

In addition, the airlines will also initiate the Lhasa-Xi'an- Lhasa air route on the same day.

Opening of the two new routes is expected to greatly improve Tibet's transportation facilities, help quicken the pace of developing the hinterland, and promote tourism industries in Shanghai, Shaanxi and Tibet.