China's flagship airline will commence its first direct flights from Beijing to New York's John F. Kennedy International airport, Xinhua News Agency and New York-New Jersey Port Authority said Thursday.

Air China will begin the thrice-weekly service beginning Sept. 27, the Xinhua news report said, quoting Li Jiaxiang, a senior airline official. Pasquale DiFulco, a Port Aurthority spokesman, confirmed the report. At present, United Airlines has the only direct New York City/Beijing service, he said.

Xinhua said Air China's Boeing 747-400 aircraft would leave at 2 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Beijing's Capital Airport and land at JFK at 3:30 pm the same day. Return flights will leave JFK at 5:30 pm and arrive in Beijing at 7 pm the next day.

Air China has scheduled a test flight for August 16.

( China Daily July 26, 2002)