Two new carriers to launch services at HKIA

(Hong Kong, 28 October 2005) - Within less than a week, two new airlines, Siem Reap Airways and Shandong Airlines, will join Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)'s extensive air network, offering both leisure and business travellers additional choices of services, destinations and frequencies.

Welcoming the new carriers, Commercial Director of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Mr Hans Bakker said, "It has been a promising year with 10 new airlines starting operation at HKIA. This further strengthens our air connectivity and HKIA's status as the world's premier aviation hub."

He further added, "Our success owes much to the Government's policy of progressive liberalisation of air services. As the Government continues to initiate and expand air services agreements with our counterparts, we are expecting to have more airlines serving Hong Kong in the future."

Starting today, Siem Reap Airways will provide four weekly scheduled flights connecting Hong Kong and Siem Reap, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - Angkor Wat, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Flights depart Hong Kong and Siem Reap at 5:15pm and 10:00am respectively while return flights from Siem Reap will fly via Phnom Penh.

Built in the first half of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The temple is beautifully covered with relief carvings of Hindu gods, mythological creatures, and the famous Khmer dancers, Apsara.

Shortly after Siem Reap Airways' inaugural flight, Shandong Airlines will commence two weekly scheduled services connecting Hong Kong and Yantai on 1 November 2005. Flights will arrive and depart Hong Kong at 6:20pm and 7:15pm respectively, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Located on the southern coast of Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of Bohai Bay, Yantai is the largest fishing seaport in Shandong and a robust economic centre. The new services to be provided by Shandong Airlines will complement China Eastern Airlines' current two weekly flights on the Hong Kong-Yantai route.