Direct cargo flights will be launched on March 28 next year between two airports in southwest China\'s Sichuan province and northeast France\'s Champagne-Ardenne Region, according to an agreement signed Monday. Five flights are expected to operate each week along the new air route between the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and the Paris Vatry Airport, said Jean-Paul Bachy, president of the Champagne-Ardenne Region. Bachy said at the signing ceremony between the governments of Sichuan and Champagne-Ardenne that he hopes the new air route will benefit both sides and direct passenger flights can also be launched step by step. \"It is a very important project of cooperation between Sichuan and Champagne-Ardenne, and we will work to ensure the air route is opened as scheduled,\" said Huang Xiaoxiang, vice governor of Sichuan. Sichuan and Champagne-Ardenne forged a relationship of friendly cooperation on Sept. 28 last year.