Air shuttle services between Hong Kong and southern parts of the mainland are being considered, using smaller planes and more frequent services, Wilson Fung, deputy secretary for economic development of the Hong Kong government, said on Saturday.

The move came after the review of the Mainland-Hong Kong Air Services Arrangement earlier this month, which provides a clear timetable for opening the Hong Kong-Mainland aviation market to more airlines and expansion of capacity limits on individual routes, said Fung.

Speaking on a radio talkshow, Fung said the new rights provide valuable business opportunities to Hong Kong airlines planning to launch or increase services.

He expected that in October, overall passenger capacity will rise 30 percent, increasing weekly passenger flights operated by airlines in the two sides to 1,600. Cargo capacity will also rise 100 percent from the current 21 flights a week for each side to 42,bringing the total number of weekly freighter services that can be operated by airlines of both sides to 84.

On passenger services to Shanghai, Fung said a second Hong Kong airline will be allowed to operate the service from October 2006.

Existing passenger capacity can still meet demand and the Hong Kong government will keep monitoring and reviewing the situation, said Fung.

Source: Xinhua