(Yicai Global) March 15 -- China Hainan Airline Holdings plan to start running China's first direct flight to Norway in May, which will double up as the carrier's first ever Nordic route.

The airline will open the Beijing-Oslo route on May 15, state-backed China News Service reported yesterday. An 300-seat Airbus 330 will make the journey every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with 32 business-class and 262 economy seats available.

The route will be Hainan Airlines' ninth to Europe. It picked the Norwegian capital as a destination for its seaside location and mountainous backdrop.

There are a host of mountain railways and picturesque waterfalls, and the city has plenty of museums showcasing history, culture and celebrities in Northern Europe, the report added.

Editor: James Boynton