Dhaka, March 29 -- China Eastern Airlines is planning to operate direct flights between Chattogram and Kunming to make medical travel to China easier for Bangladeshis.

The initiative aims to help people from the eastern region of Bangladesh access hospitals in the southern Chinese city, according to Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary to the chief advisor.

Airline officials confirmed the plan during a meeting with the Bangladeshi delegation currently visiting China, Azad told state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) on Saturday.

China has already designated four hospitals in Kunming to serve Bangladeshi patients. However, the high cost of air travel remains a major barrier.

Officials from China Eastern Airlines...