Taiwan’s UNI Air started direct scheduled services to Chongqing on 18 November. The carrier will put on six flights a week between Chongqing and Taiwan, with return flights every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Air China and Sichuan Airlines have been operating five direct flights a week between Chongqing and Taiwan since the end of 2008, and average occupancy levels have been running at more than 80 per cent according to a Chongqing government website.

Increased competition has reduced fares. Return tickets cost in the region of Rmb1,800-3,000, around 30 per cent cheaper than when direct flights were first allowed.