Airlines across the Taiwan Strait have agreed to reduce prices of air tickets by 10 percent to 15 percent to boost exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, a Chinese minister said Sunday.

"In order to enhance the exchanges between the two sides, the aviation regulator should take multiple measures and offer preferential packages," said Li Jiaxiang, minister of civil aviation, at the Second Straits Forum held in Xiamen in Fujian Province.

"And we have negotiated with airlines to lower the prices of air tickets as a practical measure," he added.

From July 1, fares for direct flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Taipei will be up to 30 percent cheaper at below 3,185 yuan (US$466.5), Xinhua said. The route was launched on June 14 and there are 14 regular flights weekly. At present, the discounted prices range from 2,760 yuan to 3,609 yuan while the full price is 4,300 yuan.

"Another 40 flights will be added each week to bring the total to 420, or 60 daily flights," said Li. "But that is still not enough."

The mainland will also build more airports and inaugurate direct flights from Xiamen to the island, according to Li.

"If there are direct flights between Xiamen and Taiwan, the flying time will be shortened to half an hour from more than one and half hours now," the minister said.

A record 5.4 million passengers flew across the Strait in 2009, more than triple the number a year earlier. Over 6 mAillion passengers are set to make the trip this year, according to Wang Yi, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the Chinese Cabinet.