Dragonair starts further daily to Shanghai Hongqiao

HONG KONG's Dragonair, Cathay Pacific sister carrier, has launched a further daily service from Shanghai's old and more convenient Hongqiao airport to bring its total of 16 daily HK flights since it began chartered services to Shanghai.

Flight KA859 will be operated by an Airbus A330 with departure from Hongqiao at 1320 hrs and 1610 hrs, arrival in Hong Kong 0815 hrs and 1030 hrs every day. Departure from Hong Kong on Thursday will be 0915 hrs and 1135 hrs with Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday running 0955 hrs and 1220 hrs.

The new service follows an agreement between the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Hong Kong SAR Government in July to add Shanghai Hongqiao as a destination for scheduled air services between Hong Kong and the mainland's major metropolis.

The event was celebrated with a lion dance performance followed by ribbon cutting and cake-cutting ceremonies. Every passenger on the inaugural flight between Hongqiao and Hong Kong also received a special commemorative gift.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony Dragon CEO James Tong said in the presence of guest that included guest of honour Hu Ya Ming, deputy director of China Regional Administration of Civil Aviation: "The launch of regular services between Hongqiao International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport marks an important milestone in the 25 years of Dragonair's history and highlights the airline's long-term commitment to linking Mainland China to Hong Kong.

Dragonair's sister airline Cathay Pacific codeshares on the service. Flight times will adhere to a winter schedule as of October 30, 2010.
(Source:www.schednet.com)