Taipei-Urumqi direct flights open

A direct flight route between Taipei and the mainland city of Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was launched by Taiwan-based China Airlines on Tuesday.

It is the longest route between both sides of the strait, according to China Airlines.

The six-hour flight will be available three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The flight will cut the Taipei-Urumqi journey time by fours hours.

Urumqi International Airport is China's westmost international airport with 147 routes.