HAIKOU - A direct flight will be launched Sunday between the city of Haikou, capital of South China's Hainan province, and Melbourne.

The Hainan Airlines route will use an Airbus 330, and is the second direct international route between the island province and Oceania.

Flights will depart from Haikou at 18:40 pm and arrive at Melbourne at 7 am the following day every Wednesday and Sunday. Return flights will take off at 9 am local time and arrive in Haikou at 4:05 pm every Monday and Thursday.

From Jan 16, a flight linking the city of Changsha, capital of Central China's Hunan province, and Haikou will be added to the trip.

A direct flight between Haikou and Sydney was launched in January.