A regular direct air route was launched on Friday to connect China's southwestern metropolis of Chongqing and Seoul in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Launched by Air China, the line will cut the travel time between the two cities to less than four hours.

It will have one Boeing-73G aircraft to commute between Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Seoul Incheon International Airport every day.

The direct flight is intended to cater to the surging number of tourists to the ROK, which has become a popular destination for Chinese travelers.