SWISS International Air Lines launched daily non-stop flights from Shanghai to Zurich on Saturday.

Flight, using a 228-seater Airbus A340 jet, leaves Shanghai at 9:15am and arrives in Zurich at 3:40pm local time, while the return flight leaves Zurich at 1:05pm local time and lands in Shanghai at 6:35am the next day. The flight time is 12 hours and 25 minutes.

"Our new route re-establishes the long tradition of air services between Shanghai and Zurich," said Chairman Rolf Jetzer. "In extending our network to Shanghai, we are strengthening Swiss's presence and position in the world's fastest-growing market."

There have been no direct flights linking the Chinese mainland and Switzerland since the bankrupt Swissair ended the Shanghai and Beijing to Zurich routes in 2002, and the carrier was taken over by Lufthansa in 2005.

"We'll be offering a very attractive product for our Chinese customers," said Harry Hohmeister, chief network and distribution officer.

At least one Chinese flight attendant will be aboard each flight to assist customers on language, information and cultural matters.

Trade volume between China and Switzerland rose 49 percent between 2005 and 2007, according to the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

Subject to final approvals of the European Union and the Swiss government, it is planned that Switzerland applies Schengen rules to Chinese visitors from November 1.

This means that visas issued by Switzerland will be recognized for entry into any other countries under the Schengen agreement, and vice versa, which should also encourage more Chinese tourists to visit Switzerland.

Switzerland Tourism has predicted that the number of Chinese visitors will increase fourfold to 600,000 in 10 years and bring US$280 million in revenue.