China’s flagship airline Air China on Wednesday launched direct flights to Warsaw, mounting a challenge to Polish carrier LOT.

The first flight from Beijing landed at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport just after 7am with around 200 people on board an Airbus A330.

China’s ambassador to Poland, Xu Jian, said during a ceremony to mark the launch that the new direct connection would lead to increased travel between Poland and China, adding that he was sure it would have an industrial, economic, financial, and cultural impact.

He added that it would also raise the international profile of Warsaw and Poland.

Air China will be offering four flights a week between Warsaw and Beijing.

Poland’s LOT has so far enjoyed a monopoly on direct connections from Warsaw to Beijing, offering three flights a week.