December 28, 2007	Friday	Zilhaj 17, 1428

HONG KONG, Dec 27: Hong Kong said on Thursday it and China will further liberalise their aviation markets by allowing increased frequencies between both sides and easing restrictions on passenger and cargo flights.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China and Hong Kong’s Transport and Housing bureau will sign a new pact after their latest round of discussions on their air services arrangement, said the Hong Kong authorities.

Eva Cheng, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Transport and Housing, hailed the move, saying the deal will further strengthen the aviation link between the mainland and Hong Kong.

“The new memorandum of understanding will also enhance the competitiveness of the Hong Kong International Airport and strengthen the status of Hong Kong as an international and regional aviation hub,” she said in a statement.

From summer/autumn next year, each side can designate three airlines to operate passenger and cargo services between Hong Kong and major lucrative Chinese routes, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kunming, Dalian and Chengdu.

This will be increased to four airlines in winter. For the remaining secondary Chinese routes, there will no longer be restrictions on how many airlines can be flown there.—AFP