Hong Kong Airlines swoops in with new route to Xining, Qinghai province’s economic centre
- From July 9, carrier will offer two weekly flights to mainland Chinese city that was added to Hong Kong’s solo traveller scheme in May
Hong Kong Airlines has launched a new route to Xining in Qinghai province, one of eight newly added mainland Chinese cities to a solo traveller scheme.
The carrier said on Friday it would offer two flights per week to the mainland city from July 9.
It added the new service was prompted by Beijing’s decision last month to allow residents from Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi to visit Hong Kong without the need to join a tour group.
Calls have been mounting for local airlines to roll out more direct flights to the newly added cities as only five locations currently have non-stop flights to Hong Kong. They are Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Yinchuan, Harbin and Urumqi.
Hong Kong Airlines said the exclusive direct flight service to Xining from July would further strengthen connectivity between Hong Kong and the mainland.
“Hong Kong Airlines is committed to providing more travel options,” the carrier said. “The airline aims to support the nation’s Belt and Road Initiative, solidify its position in global trade and commerce and play a crucial role in bolstering Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.”
The Belt and Road Initiative is the nation’s trade strategy to connect more than 70 countries across Asia, Europe and Africa via a “New Silk Road” of railways, highways and ports.
