(ECNS) -- The international passenger air route linking Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Khujand of Tajikistan has increased flight frequency starting Saturday, according to the Kashi-Laining International Airport.

A plane takes off from Kashi-Laining International Airport. (Photo: Kashgar Air Port Comprehensive Service Center)

Operated by Chengdu Airlines, the service is the first Central Asian route flown by China’s domestically built C909 jet and the first international passenger route in Xinjiang using the homegrown aircraft.

Kashgar Laining International Airport now connects Xinjiang with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, steadily strengthening its hub functions.

(By Helen Mo, intern Xu Wenda)