Direct flights linking Japan's Kobe and Chinese cities of Shanghai and Nanjing of Jiangsu province would be launched starting April, which are expected to serve air traveling requirements between the Japanese city and the Yangtze River Delta region, announced Shanghai-based airliner Juneyao Airlines on March 12.

The Shanghai-Kobe route would be launched on April 18, and the Nanjing-Kobe route would be started the day after (April 19), according to the carrier's schedule.

Both operating on a daily basis, the two direct flights would further improve the interconnection between Yangtze River Delta region and the Kansai region of Japan. With regards to the World Expo in Osaka, the improved air network is hoped to better facilitate the cultural, tourism, economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan.

A total of 14 air routes connecting China with Japanese destinations, including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo, would be operated by Juneyao Airlines in the upcoming summer and autumn season, a move aimed to tap into the rising market demand for international tourism.

China saw inbound tourists volume surge 60.8 percent year-on-year in 2024, and there appeared an evident increase of Japanese travelers, representing sizable potential demand in the market.

The World Expo in Osaka, which is scheduled to kick off on April 13, is also projected to attract more than 28 million passenger trips of international visitors.