China has agreed to open a new corridor through its tightly restricted air space, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The report said the new corridor could save airlines a total of 30 mln usd in annual fuel costs and trim an average of half an hour off flight times between China and Europe.

The new route, which opens officially Thursday, will create a shortcut for airlines flying between Europe and the Chinese cities of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and between Europe and Manila, the report said.

The creation of the new route is the first of several steps IATA wants Chinese authorities to make to open up the country’s air network, the report said.
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