Mandarin Airlines launched a new direct flight between Taipei, capital of Taiwan and Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian province, on Feb 18, bringing the total number of weekly flights from Fuzhou to Taiwan to 30, with 25 for passengers and 5 for cargo.

The new route is scheduled for every Tuesday and Friday with the flight number AE211/212. The flight departs from Taipei's Songshan Airport at 7:45 and arrives at Fuzhou Changle International Airport at 9:15, and the flight from Fuzhou departs at 10:05 and arrives at the Songshan at 11:25.

The first direct flight between Fuzhou and Taipei was launched on Dec 18, 2008. Over the years, an increasing number of flights have been added to the route due to strengthened cross-Straits links.

By Lu Ting from China Daily Fujian Bureau, and Zhao Qian

Edited by Brian Salter