XI'AN, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- China Eastern Airlines on Tuesday opened a direct flight between Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and Madrid. The route will be operated by an Airbus 330 twice a week. The outbound flight MU263 departs Xi'an at 3:05 p.m. Beijing time every Tuesday and Saturday and the return flight MU264 departs Madrid at 9:55 p.m. local time for Xi'an every Wednesday and Sunday. A one-way trip takes about 11 hours.

Xi'an has been a popular tourist destination for its status as one of China's ancient capitals and its collection of the Terracotta Warriors and horses. More than 180 million people visited the city in 2017.

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport operates 61 international air routes and a new route to Los Angeles is expected to open on Dec. 31.