SHANGHAI, March 26 (Xinhua) -- China Eastern Airlines plans to open a non-stop flight next year from Shanghai, China's economic hub, to Lhasa, the roof of the world and the capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, according to company official.

    The official said the Eastern Airlines has signed an agreement with Air Bus to buy five Airbus A319s which are suitable for plateau flight. Worth 1.9 billion yuan for total, the planes will be delivered beginning February 2006 and through July 2007.

    Because of high altitude at 4,000 meters on average and wide temperature difference in day and night, ordinary planes could not stay over at airport in Tibet. Thus, passengers from Shanghai to Lhasa have to transfer from Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province, in the past.

    The Eastern Airlines now has ten A319s in flight. Enditem