A regular direct route between the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing and the Maldivian capital of Male commenced Friday, local Chinese airport authorities said.

The new round-trip route (5M162/5M163) is operated by Mega Maldives Airline every five days, using a Boeing 767-300ER with a capacity of 250 passengers, according to a spokesman with the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

The 6.5-hour flight departs from Chongqing at 11 a.m. and arrives at 3 p.m. local time in Male. Passengers from the Chinese mainland will be able to apply for a visa on arrival.

The flight marks the airline's third regular service route between mainland Chinese cities and the Maldives, following flights departing from Beijing and Shanghai.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport has opened more than ten international air routes to date, including ones to Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore and Phuket. Next week, the airport will launch a direct flight to Doha, Qatar.