Hainan Airlines is set to launch the first direct international flight route between Shenzhen and Budapest, the capital of Hungary, starting August 2. This new flight path aims to provide more travel options between China and Europe and to further enhance China-Hungary relations.

The new route will feature two round-trip flights per week. Outbound flights will depart from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 2 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays, arriving at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport at 7:50 a.m. local time. Return flights will depart from Budapest at 11:40 a.m., landing back in Shenzhen at 4:50 a.m. the following day. These details are subject to confirmation and may vary.

Hungary has established several “firsts” in fostering friendly relations with China. It was the first European country to sign a Belt and Road Initiative cooperation memorandum with China, open a Hungarian-Chinese bilingual teaching school, establish a yuan settlement bank, host a China National Tourism Administration office, and issue yuan bonds.