Jiangbei International Airport in Chongqing's Liangjiang Area, Oct 16. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner heading for Chicago took off from Jiangbei International Airport on Oct 16.

This marked the beginning of the 74th international air route from Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area, which is now in service.

It is the first air route from Southwest China to Chicago and the fourth between Chongqing and North America.

Chongqing now has 74 international air routes between it and some of the world's most famous cities, including London, Rome, Moscow, Sydney, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Fourteen of them provide direct flights.

The airport is planning to add flights to Toronto, Paris, Colombo and Kathmandu, as the expansion of international routes will greatly benefit the opening-up of Liangjiang and Chongqing.