The first direct flights between Taipei’s Songshan Airport and Shanghai’s Hongqiao Airport are set to be launched on Monday.The first flight from Songshan Airport to Hongqiao Airport will be made by Taiwanese carrier China Airlines and depart at 8:45 a.m. Monday morning. The plane will carry Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin and Vice Transportation Minister Chang Chiu chuen along with lawmakers and Taipei city officials. After the plane lands, a ceremony hosted by Hau and Chang along with Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng will be held at Hongqiao Airport.

Republic of China President Ma Ying-jeou has said that he hopes the two airports  along with Tokyo’s Hanedo Airport and Seoul’s Gimpo Airport  can form part of a golden circle in East Asia. The Republic of China ROC is Taiwan’s official name.Civil Aeronautics Administration head Lee Lung-wen said that the Taipei-Shanghai flights will at first be made on medium-sized, under 250 seat passenger planes. Lee said those would then be exchanged for large-sized planes with over 300 seats starting in October.