Aerial photo showing Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China, Aug 16, 2019. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)

CHONGQING — A civil airport in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality began operations on Friday.

Nicknamed the "in the clouds" airport, the Chongqing Wushan Airport saw the landing of the first flight on Friday morning.

China Express's flight G52685 is seen at the Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China, Aug 16, 2019. The successful landing of flight G52685 at the airport marked the official operation of the airport. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)

More flights linking the eastern and southern Chinese cities are expected to be launched in the near future.

The airport is located at an altitude of more than 1,770 meters above sea level and is situated about 15 km away from the center of Wushan County.

As one of the four regional airports in Chongqing, the operation of the Wushan Airport is expected to improve the transportation network of Chongqing and promote tourism in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. 

Passengers check in at the Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China, Aug 16, 2019. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)

The baggage check-in area inside Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China, Aug 16, 2019. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)

This aerial photo taken on Aug 15, 2019, shows Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)

China Express's flight G52685 is seen at Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China, Aug 16, 2019. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)

Passengers disembarking from China Express's flight G52685 at Wushan Airport in Chongqing, southwest China, Aug 16, 2019. (LIU CHAN / XINHUA)