Passengers line up in front of border control gates at the Yantai International Airport on Dec 25. [Photo/jiaodong.net]

China United Airlines launched a direct flight from Yantai in East China's Shandong province to Japan's Fukuoka on Dec 27, marking Yantai's ninth international air route and the third air route between Yantai and Japan.

The new service is expected to help boost trade, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Yantai and Fukuoka, according to experts.

In order to ensure a smooth maiden flight, the Yantai Border Guard has worked out an emergency response plan and provided information consulting services through its WeChat account.