A direct air route between Changchun, capital of Northeast China’s Jilin province, and Hong Kong, was launched on Dec 29.

The opening ceremony of the direct flight between Changchun and Hong Kong is held at Changchun Longjia International Airport on Dec 29. [Photo by Zhu Guichen/Xinhua]

With 152 passengers on board, the A320 airplane departed from Changchun Longjia International Airport after the launch ceremony.

The twice-a-week flight is expected to boost trade and tourism between Jilin province and Hong Kong.

Flights HX428 is scheduled to depart from Hong Kong at 09:50 and arrives in Changchun at 14:05 every Monday, while HX429 returns to Hong Kong from Changchun at 14:55, arriving at 19:55.

Every Thursday, the flight departs from Hong Kong at 10:30 and arrives in Changchun at 14:50 while returning to arrive in Hong Kong at 20:30 with a departure time in Changchun at 15:50.

"The direct air route will link the province to a new destination with deeper opening-up with more investment opportunities", said Gao Fei, vice-director of the province's bureau of tourism.

Travel agencies in Changchun have rolled out a group of package tours, such as four-day tours in Hong Kong, five-day tours in Hong Kong and Macao, eight-day tours in Hong Kong and Bali, and eight-day tours in Hong Kong and Bangkok.

The province will provide more direct flight services between Changchun and Hong Kong to meet demand, so as to bring more win-win cooperation and sustainable growth for the two parties’ trade and tourism, Gao added.