Sichuan Airlines will launch a direct flight between southwest China's Chengdu city and Melbourne, Australia, on Feb 28 this year, according to the company.

The airline will run three flights every week on the Chengdu-Melbourne route using Airbus A330 airplanes. A one-way trip will take about 10.5 hours.

The new route will be the first direct flight from west China to Oceania. Passengers who wish to reach Melbourne from Chengdu and greater west China no longer need to transfer via other domestic cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Sichuan Airlines is scheduled to open another one or two flights from Chengdu to Europe or the United States after this opening.