Air China would launch a Beijing-Reykjavik service on Monday, the first scheduled passenger service between China and Iceland operated by a Chinese mainland airline. The launch coincides with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries.

The service will operate three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with a total journey time of about 15 hours and 45 minutes, including a stopover in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Chinese Ambassador to Iceland He Rulong said the route will facilitate travel, business and industrial cooperation, and exchanges among universities, research institutions, cultural organizations and young people.

He called the service "the best gift" for the 55th anniversary of bilateral relations, saying it reflected both countries' commitment to deeper cooperation, broader exchanges and closer ties.

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A record 128,000 Chinese tourists visited Iceland last year, He said. "Meanwhile, China introduced a unilateral visa-free policy for Icelandic citizens in late 2024, allowing ordinary passport holders to stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges or transit."

The new air link will make Iceland's glaciers, volcanoes and Northern Lights more accessible to Chinese tourists, while giving Icelanders more opportunities to explore China's history, culture and modern society, the ambassador said.

Over the past 55 years, China and Iceland have upheld mutual respect, expanded practical cooperation in trade, geothermal energy and tourism, and deepened people-to-people exchanges in culture and education, while supporting each other on core interests and major concerns, he said.

With the two countries' complementary economies, the route is also expected to foster closer economic and trade ties, he said.

It could help Icelandic seafood, cosmetics, health supplements and woolen goods reach Chinese and other Asian markets more efficiently, while promoting cooperation in food processing, tourism and green energy, he said.

The service "meets the expectations of people in both countries, responds to the needs of businesses and enjoys strong support from both governments", he said. It also marks an important step forward in people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation, he added.

Anton Wei, operations director for the Chinese market at Iceland Travel, a destination management company, said the new route would make Iceland more accessible to Chinese tourists.

"Chinese tourists have long shown strong interest in visiting Iceland, but lengthy journeys, connecting flights and travel costs have often been key considerations when planning their trips," Wei said.

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Improved air links are expected to diversify travel demand, boosting traditional group tours as well as self-drive trips, small-group and tailor-made tours, and themed experiences focused on the Northern Lights, glaciers and volcanoes, he said.

Iceland Travel is strengthening partnerships with Chinese travel agencies and developing packages tailored to the new route, Wei said. It also plans to work more closely with Air China to promote Iceland as a leading Northern European destination, he said.

"We believe the new Beijing-Reykjavik route will have significance beyond tourism, serving as an important bridge for people-to-people and cultural exchanges and stronger economic ties between China and Iceland," he said.

Song Hongling in Reykjavik, Iceland, contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at liujianqiao@chinadaily.com.cn