The Great Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt [Photo/VCG]

According to the Civil Aviation Administration, a new direct flight will be launched on Nov 29 connecting Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province and Cairo, Egypt.

The route will be operated by Egypt Air and will run twice a week, but will eventually be increased to three times a week. The flight will depart from Cairo on Wednesday and Friday and from Hangzhou on Thursday and Saturday.

The new route is the first direct flight between North Africa and East China and is expected to reduce the travel time between Hangzhou and Cairo from 19 hours to 11 hours.

So far this year, Hangzhou has opened six international air routes. The new direct flight from Hangzhou to Cairo will help Hangzhou set up a complete international airline network covering 30 countries and regions in five continents, and also boost tourism and culture exchange between the two cities.

Egypt occupies an important geographical position in North Africa and is an important gateway to the African continent. The route will promote the development of the aerial Silk Road and expand Zhejiang's influence in Africa.