PANAMA CITY — China's national carrier, Air China, is expected to open the first connecting flight between China and Panama in 2018 as the two sides have laid the groundwork, airport officials said here Tuesday.

Air China executives have met with Panamanian airport officials over the specific issues, Panama City's Tocumen International Airport said.

The flight is expected to be launched in March 2018, and includes a technical stopover in Houston, the US state of Texas.

The carrier that has flights to 180 cities in 38 countries or regions has said it plans to open a regional office in Panama.

The new flight was announced during Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela's state visit to China on Nov 16-22, and is to operate twice a week.

Panama is a hub in Latin America, with flights to 35 cities throughout the Americas and Europe.