A rail-air transit service center was launched on Friday at the Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, allowing air travelers transiting via Shanghai's two airports to check in in advance at the railway station, according to official sources.

The service was jointly launched by China Eastern Airlines, China Railway Shanghai Group, the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission and the Shanghai Airport authority and will be available from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm every day, according to Yan Jun, a deputy general manager with China Eastern.

During the trial period between January 22 and January 25, China Eastern has helped 140 passengers check in 117 pieces of luggage as of Thursday, 70 percent of which are outbound, said Yan.

The new service is the latest effort of China Eastern in facilitating travelers across the Yangtze River Delta region by collaborating among aviation and railway networks, Yan said.

Yan sad the service is expected to be available in more cities across the Yangtze River Delta region and beyond, and may benefit foreign travelers making 144-hour visa-free transit in China in the future.