Hong Kong Airlines launches direct Urumqi service

Flights operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with twice-weekly return services.

Hong Kong Airlines launched its first direct service between Hong Kong and Urumqi on 29 August, operating the route twice weekly using an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft.

The carrier will operate flight HX456 from Hong Kong to Urumqi every Tuesday and Saturday, whilst return flight HX457 will operate every Wednesday and Sunday. 

Hong Kong Airlines President Jeff Sun said the new route follows the expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme for mainland residents travelling to Hong Kong and Macao.

He said that passengers from the region could use Hong Kong for onward connections to Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America.

“Travellers can also connect readily to key destinations across Central Asia, which is in line with the HKSAR Government’s policy of fostering closer cooperation and exchanges between Hong Kong and Central Asia,” Sun added.

Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and serves as a transport hub for Northwest China and connections to Central Asia.