Crew members of the new Taiyuan-Chicago air service, operated by the Shanxi branch of China Eastern Airlines, pose for a group photo at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, on March 31. [Photo/sxgov.cn]

A new direct flight to the United States city of Chicago, started operating out of Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi, on March 31, marking the opening of the province's third intercontinental air route.

Flight MU255 -- operated by the Shanxi branch of China Eastern Airlines -- takes off from Taiyuan at 07:20 and arrives in Chicago at 12:40 local time every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The return flight departs at 14:50 local time from Chicago and arrives in Taiyuan at 23:40. The journey takes around 18 hours.

To mark the launch of the Taiyuan-Chicago air service, discount tickets -- priced as low as 300 yuan ($44.71), for a one-way trip, with tax excluded, and 500 yuan for a round trip, tax excluded -- will be offered in April, according to the airline. 

Officials said the increase in intercontinental air services had strengthened the accessibility and connection of international air routes in Shanxi province and would further enhance trade, tourism, and cultural and industry communications between Shanxi and Europe, America and Australia. To date, Taiyuan Wusu International Airport has opened 14 international air routes.