The first direct flight from Dalian, Liaoning province, to Taipei will take-off on Dec. 20, Zhao Jinsheng, general manager of the Dalian branch of Hainan Airlines, said at a news briefing on Dec. 18.

From Dec. 20, Hainan Airlines' flights will leave Dalian airport every Saturday at 3:10 pm and arrive in Taipei at 6 pm, while Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways will operate scheduled flights every Sunday.

On Dec. 18, Xiamen Airlines launched its new weekly direct flight between Fuzhou and Taipei.