ULAN BATOR, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's national airline MIAT on Sunday launched a direct air route between its capital city Ulan Bator and Guangzhou, capital city of China's Guangdong Province, in an effort to expand its regional network, according to a statement on the website of the MIAT.

"The first direct flight departed from the Chinggis Khaan International Airport in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator to Guangzhou at 10:40 p.m. (local time)," Davaakhuu Battur, president and CEO of MIAT, said at the launching ceremony.

"I am confident that this new air route will greatly contribute to the trade, economic and tourism cooperation between Mongolia and China," he noted.

The flight runs every Thursday and Sunday, according to the company.

So far, MIAT has three direct-route destinations in China, still including Beijing and Hong Kong.