Trips to Europe have become more convenient for tourists from Chengdu since Air China launched a new direct route from the Sichuan capital to Frankfurt, Germany, on May 19.

The second direct flight between the city and Europe, the Chengdu-Frankfurt route is scheduled for Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. It is expected to strengthen the city's role as a logistics and transportation hub in western China.

The timing of the launch coincides with a period when many European countries are still trying hard to pull themselves out of economic crisis. Better links with the rising economic power in western China can help the process.