Tibet Airlines launched a new air route connecting Lhasa, the autonomous region's capital, with Helsinki, by way of the city of Jinan in east China's Shandong Province.

Representatives from the regional tourism development department and Tibet Airlines greeted the 240 passengers onboard the first inbound flight and offered them a hada (traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf) at Gonggar Airport in Lhasa on Tuesday.

The new air route is expected attract more tourists from east China and expand channels for Europeans to visit Tibet, the department said.