With some 230 passengers onboard, the direct flight between East China cosmopolitan Shanghai and Venice, Italy officially kicked off its operation on Thursday (Sept 26) by Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines.

Andrea Zaccaria, who is coming from Italy, is among the first batch of passengers trying the debut flight, and he called the launch of the direct flight a dream to come true. Living not very far from Venice in Italy, Zaccaria said his friends and family can travel much more conveniently with the direct flight.

Operational every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, the Shanghai-Venice flight takes 13 hours flying between the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Venice Marco Polo International Airport, according to the Shanghai-based carrier.

"The launch of the direct flight between the two cities will promote people-to-people exchanges, as well as economic and trade ties," said Qin Yun, chairman of the Shanghai Airport (Group) during the launching ceremony held on Wednesday.

Launching flights to 112 international destinations in 48 countries, Shanghai's two airports handled more than 83 million passenger trips in the first eight months this year, up 36 percent year-on-year, according to Qin.

"Among all, up to 23 million passenger trips are inbound and outbound travelers, soaring 119 percent year-on-year," said Qin, adding that the group will continue to enhance its network and service while Shanghai is aiming to build into a world-class aviation hub.

China announced the waiving of visa requirements for Italian visitors in May, and the visa-free policy to Italy will be effective until December 31, 2025. Ordinary passport holders from the country can enjoy visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days.

"China's visa-free policy to Italy is expected to further boost communications and trades between the two nations," said Wan Qingchao, executive vice-president of China Eastern Air Holding Co Ltd.

"Against this backdrop, China Eastern has launched four flights between China and Italy as of the end of September. And the aviation between the two countries will further promote communications and exchanges between China and Europe as a whole," said Wan.

Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador to China said the direct flight is believed to further benefit people traveling between China and Italy, as well as promote exchanges of culture, technology and economy.

According to Ambrosetti, the Venice airport is named after an Italian merchant and explorer who introduced China to European centuries ago.

Situated in Northeast of Italy, Venice is particularly familiar to Chinese as the hometown of Marco Polo. It is known as an economic center and tourist city of the European country.

"The Shanghai-Venice direct flight created new opportunities for in-depth collaboration in economy, culture and tourism between China and Italy," said Ma Yinghui, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanghai Municipal People's Government.

According to Ma, both of the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport are offering one-stop services for welcoming and helping expatriates upon their arrival at the city. Providing inbound travelers with comprehensive, considerate and convenient services around the clock, the service centers have integrated functions of payment, culture, tourism, communication and transportation.