First Direct Scheduled Services to Kagoshima and Hiroshima Launch this Week

Hong Kong, 28th April 2008… Following the introduction of direct flights to Okinawa earlier this month, Hong Kong Express Airways has today launched its second scheduled service to Japan: a new three times weekly direct flight between Hong Kong and Kagoshima, the only direct service available between the two cities.

The launch follows just days after the airline’s introduction of chartered services to Okayama and precedes the commencement of scheduled direct services to Hiroshima later this week. Hiroshima will be the airline’s third scheduled service between Hong Kong and Japan, and will operate twice weekly (every Thursday and Sunday) from May 1st.

The slew of new routes is part of Hong Kong Express Airways’ drive to capture a share of the Japanese market following liberalisation of the country’s air traffic policy earlier this year. “By providing direct flights between Hong Kong and interesting destinations, we offer more choices and great convenience for travellers who want to explore new destinations. We have seen already growth on our Okinawa route and I believe that we will see the same with these new destinations,” said Mr. Ronnie Choi, President of Hong Kong Express Airways.  

Situated at the south-western tip of the Kyushu island of Japan, Kagoshima is often referred to as the ‘Naples of the Orient’ due to the similarity between Mount Sakurajima and Kinko Bay with Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples in Italy. A popular getaway destination for many city dwelling Japanese, Kagoshima is a relaxed leisure destination boasting a balmy climate and a host of cultural and scenic attractions. Equally scenic in its surroundings is Hiroshima which is famed as a centre of Manga as well as for its natural hot sand baths and atomic memorials.

As well as offering more options to passengers flying between Hong Kong and Japan, the introduction of the new route will also utilise Hong Kong Express Airways’ existing network of South East Asian routes to provide connections and build traffic on its services to and from destinations such as Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

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