Dragonair, one of the two carriers that offer service between Hong Kong and Shanghai, said it's going to add more flights on the route, betting on rising demand triggered by the central government's recent approval for easier access for Chinese mainland residents to visit the territory.

The carrier, which is Hong Kong's second-largest airline, will offer 77 weekly flights linking the two business hubs starting on October 26, a rise from the current 60 weekly flights.

"We will increase flights since passenger numbers on the route have grown rapidly these years," said Aaron Chan, regional manager of Dragonair's Eastern China business. "We're confident that the demand will be higher as individuals in several cities on the mainland are now allowed to visit Hong Kong."

The central government recently relaxed its restrictions on individual travel to Hong Kong for residents in several cities, including Shanghai and Beijing.

The airline didn't offer details on its current passenger volume and load factor on the route, but records at Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department show that passenger traffic rose 22.4 percent on the route last year.

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair's major rival on the Shanghai-Hong Kong route, operates 11 daily flights between the two cities with smaller aircraft than Dragonair's.

Dragonair is also working on its largest-ever cabin redesign by introducing flat chairs and personal television screens in its fleet, according to Chan.

Recovering from the SARS outbreak, Dragonair will operate 82 percent of its total flights this month and will fly 91 percent of its schedule in September.

(eastday.com August 25, 2003)