China Southern Airlines Xinjiang Company has announced that the that the airline will commence a service between Urumqi and Tbilisi the capital of Georgia, in June 2011.

This will be the 13th international route launched from Xinjiang by China Southern, and it will be the first direct service between China and Georgia.

Georgia is an important hub connecting the East and the West. Current travelers between the two countries have to transfer to transfer at hubs such as Istanbul in Turkey, Almaty in Kazakhstan, or Baku in Azerbaijan.

Flights will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Urumqi, departing the airport at 19:30, and arriving at Tbilisi at 21:10 local time. Return flights will be on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, leaving Tbilisi at 22:40 and getting back to Urumqi at 7:30 local time.