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After consultation between the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Transport and Housing Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, it was decided to add Shanghai Hongqiao Airport as a point for scheduled air services between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Each side can operate services at 14 frequencies per week between Shanghai Hongqiao and Hong Kong.
Welcoming the outcome of the consultation, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, said today (July 16), "Shanghai Hongqiao Airport is located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Linked by high-speed railway, inter-city railway, highway, Maglev, metro subway and road-based public transport, the airport is an important component of an integrated transport hub that serves as the gateway to the YRD. Direct services between Hong Kong and Hongqiao are strategically important as they allow Hong Kong International Airport to have more direct access to the huge market of the YRD, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's role as a regional and international aviation centre. They also provide an additional choice for passengers travelling between the two cities."
Mr Tang thanked concerned departments of the Central People's Government and the Shanghai authorities for their strong support to make the Hongqiao service possible. "This will certainly give a strong push to aviation co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai," he said.
The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, said, "Last October, the Airport Authority Hong Kong and Shanghai Airport (Group) Company Limited formed a joint venture, Shanghai Hong Kong Airport Management Co, Ltd, to manage Hongqiao Airport's terminals, retail business and the east transportation centre of its integrated transport centre. I am very pleased at the closer cooperation in terms of direct flights between the partner airports in Hong Kong and Hongqiao, on the foundation of the high-quality management of Hongqiao Airport."
The Transport and Housing Bureau is discussing the operation of the services with Hong Kong-based airlines. The aim is for the services to begin in October this year or earlier.
Ends/Friday, July 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:02
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