The first plane of a new cross-Strait air route took off from Taipei's Songshan Airport Monday morning, heading towards Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport.

The new direct flight route will effectively shorten the travel time between the two major cities across the Strait as the two airports are located very near to the downtown of the two cities.

Taipei and Shanghai have already operated direct flights between their two larger international terminals Taoyuan Airport and Pudong Airport.

Although the fly time between Songshan and Hongqiao remains the same 90 minutes as the Taoyuan-Pudong route, passengers will spend less time in commuting between their residences and airports if they fly on the new route.

There will be 28 flights every week for the new route, operated by Taiwan and mainland airline companies half by half, according to the Taiwan air authorities.

Among the first group of passengers on board of the plane, operated by Taiwan-based China Airlines, were a delegation of local officials and legislators including Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin.

"Through more direct lights with Shanghai, we are looking forwards to seeing more companies set up their offices in Taipei," he said.