This photo taken on May 24, 2023 shows the flight from Kabul to Urumqi at Kabul International Airport in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

URUMQI, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Regular flights between Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Afghanistan's capital city Kabul, resumed on Wednesday, according to local authorities.

The route will operate once a week on Wednesdays and the flight will return to Kabul on the same day. Ariana Afghan Airlines is currently the only operator of direct passenger flights between the two countries.

The resumption of the flights will further enhance connectivity between cities along the Belt and Road, and promote cooperation and exchanges between Xinjiang and Kabul in economy, trade, culture and other fields, according to the customs of the Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi.

"With the resumption of international flights, there will be an increasing number of outbound flights from Urumqi's Diwopu International Airport to Central and Western Asia and Europe," said Fan Wenhua, director of the exit-entry frontier inspection station of Urumqi.

"We will ensure a swift handling of the entry and exit formalities, minimize passenger customs clearance time, and provide good services," Fan added.