URUMQI -- China Southern Airlines will launch an air route between Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Bangkok of Thailand, ahead of the Spring Festival, the company said on Wednesday.

The flight will transit at Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, and it will be the first international direct flight linking Xinjiang with a southeast Asian country, according to the company.

Another two air routes, Urumqi-Aksu-Hotan, and Guangzhou-Urumqi-Baku will also be launched before the Spring Festival travel rush, which this year starts on Jan. 24 and will end on March 3.

The airline will also operate 342 additional flights in Xinjiang during the travel rush period to better facilitate traveling.