The first direct flight from Hefei to Singapore began Aug 29, making it easier for residents of Anhui province to go to Singapore without having to first stop and transfer flights in Shanghai or Guangzhou along the way.

The Hefei-Singapore flight is the second direct international flight offered by Hainan Airlines from Hefei. The first was the Hefei-Seoul flight.

A one-way ticket from Hefei to Singapore costs 7,650 yuan. However, during the first 30 days following the Aug 29 start of the flight, travelers can buy tickets for 2,500 yuan--the most inexpensive price for flights to Singapore from East China, the airline said.

Employees at the Hefei department of Hainan Airlines said all Hefei-Singapore tickets for Aug 29 were sold out, and that 80 percent of the direct Hefei-Singapore flights had been sold for Sept 1, Sept 5, Sept 8 and Sept 12.

By Audrey and Liu Xi