JINAN, July 17 (Xinhua) -- A direct air route has been launched between Paris and the eastern Chinese city of Jinan.

XL Airways France said it would offer one round-trip each week using an Airbus A330-200 aircraft between Jinan, capital of Shandong Province, and Paris.

The flight takes off from Paris every Monday and the returning flight departs Jinan every Wednesday.

The airline, which has launched air service in 22 cities across the globe, entered China's aviation market for the first time, according to Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport.