Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport will begin operating direct flights to Johannesburg in South Africa from Sept 19, the first direct route linking the southern Chinese city with South Africa's largest city.

The opening of the route will further bolster Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport's route network, strengthen economic and trade exchanges between Guangzhou and Johannesburg, and further promote the interconnection between China and South Africa.

The flight will be operated by South African Airways (SAA) with Airbus A340-300 planes. Planes will depart from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 22:15 on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and arrive at Johannesburg at 05:30 the next day, local time. The returning planes take off at 19:25 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from Johannesburg and land in Guangzhou at 15:05 the next day, local time.

The travel time will be 13 hours and 40 minutes. The first flight will depart from Johannesburg on September 18 and arrive in Guangzhou on September 19.