CHENGDU - British Airways will open a new direct flight between London and Chengdu in southwest China starting from Sept 22 next year, a company executive said Wednesday.

The airline will offer three round-trip flights each week on Boeing 777-200 aircraft between Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and London, said Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, the parent company of British Airways.

Walsh said he believes direct services linking the two economic powerhouses will be widely welcomed by passengers.

The direct flight will not only bring conveniences to passengers, but also help to boost economic and cultural exchanges between Britain and Sichuan Province, as well as China's central and western regions, said Li Wei, chairman of Sichuan Airport Group Co Ltd.

The Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport currently accommodates flights to 49 major cities worldwide, including 27 that are linked by direct flights.