BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Air China will launch a direct route linking Beijing and Athens via a stopover in Dubai on November 28, which is also the first direct flight between China and Greece.

The flight No. CA943 will depart from Beijing at 8:40 p.m. on Wednesdays and Sundays, and arrive in Dubai at 1:10 a.m. After one and half an hour's stop, the aircraft will continue its journey to Athens, arriving at 5:50 a.m.

The flight No. CA944 will take off at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and reach Beijing at 5:20 a.m. the next morning.

This route came as cooperation between the two countries is becoming more frequent on sports, culture and tourism in the run-up to the Olympics, Air China sources said.