Sichuan Airlines on Thursday began to commence services at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with the launch of four weekly scheduled flights between Hong Kong and Chongqing Municipality.

The carrier becomes the third new airline to join HKIA's extensive aviation network this year, after Thai Sky and Bangkok Airways.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA)'s Chief Executive Officer David J Pang said "we are glad to welcome Sichuan Airlines as our business partner. Through the continuous addition of new carriers,destinations and flight frequencies, HKIA's status as the gateway of China will be further strengthened."

Yang Jianxin, vice president of Sichuan Airlines, said at the inaugural ceremony held here that with the wide domestic network of the airline, the new services will boost connections between Hong Kong and other parts of the country, further promoting the flow of people and goods.

Hans Bakker, AA's Commercial Director, greeted the first flightto Hong Kong. "We are very pleased to add a new regional Chinese mainland carrier to offer a variety of products and services to both business and leisure travelers," he said.

Chongqing is China's fourth municipality and the largest industrial and commercial center in southwest China. Sichuan Airlines' new service will further enhance Hong Kong's connectivity to this burgeoning market and the Chinese mainland.

Starting from Thursday, there will be 16 weekly scheduled flights between the two cities, with Sichuan Airlines operating four flights weekly on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Source: Xinhua