QINGDAO-- Qingdao Airlines plans to open its first international air route from Qingdao, eastern China's coastal city in Shandong province, to Seoul, capital of the Republic of Korea (ROK), on Oct 28, company sources said Thursday.

Upon the launch of the air route to Seoul, Qingdao Airlines will join the international air route network.

Currently, China has built an international air route network with 844 routes, connecting 167 cities in 61 countries, according to China's civil aviation authorities.

To date, China has signed inter-governmental civil air transport agreements or established civil aviation connections with 125 countries and regions, up from only 34 in 1978.

Qingdao Airlines is currently operating a fleet of 14 aircraft. The carrier launched its operations in 2014, providing services to domestic destinations across China.