Tibet Airlines, the autonomous region's first airline company, on Sunday launched its first international route linking southwest China's Chengdu with Samui Island, Thailand.

An Airbus 319 will fly three round-trips a week. The route takes three and half hours each way.

The route comes following increased travel to Thailand, with the country being the number one international destination for people from Chengdu and its surrounding areas in west China.

Although Chengdu has nine flights daily to Thailand, offering 11,000 seats a week, Tibet Airlines is the first to provide direct flights to the resort island of Samui.

Launched in 2011, Tibet Airlines flies to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Hangzhou.