XI'AN, Sept. 27 -- A direct flight was launched Friday between Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and Tashkent.

The air route is run by Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co. Ltd. with an Airbus 320 aircraft.

Two round trips are scheduled every week on Tuesdays and Fridays. The outbound flight leaves Xi'an Xianyang International Airport at 9:10 a.m. Beijing time and the return flight leaves Tashkent at 1:20 p.m. local time.

With the new flight, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport has launched a total of 75 international air routes linking 61 hub and tourist cities around the globe.

Xi'an is a popular tourist destination for its status as one of China's ancient capitals and its Terracotta Warriors.