Push on for more direct flights from Hong Kong to 8 mainland Chinese cities newly added to solo traveller scheme

Central authorities have said residents from Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi can soon visit Hong Kong without joining tour groups

Tourism, retail representatives say more direct flights important for ensuring smooth travel from faraway cities and to prevent losing business to neighbouring locations

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Tourists stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Starting May 27, residents from eight mainland cities will be able to apply for the Individual Visit Scheme to travel to Hong Kong. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 1:49pm, 13 May 2024Updated: 11:44pm, 13 May 2024

Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the nation’s top legislative body has pledged to discuss with the Airport Authority the establishment of more direct flights to eight mainland Chinese cities added to a solo traveller scheme, echoing calls from tourism and retail leaders.

Mainland authorities over the weekend announced that residents from Taiyuan, Hohhot, Harbin, Lhasa, Lanzhou, Xining, Yinchuan and Urumqi could apply to visit Hong Kong from May 27 without joining a tour group.

But the Airport Authority has said only four of the eight locations – Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Yinchuan and Urumqi – have non-stop flights to Hong Kong. Flights to these four cities operate twice a week.

Post checks on Monday showed direct flights to Hohhot run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with a brief layover in Kunming.

A Google search shows passengers from Xining and Lanzhou need to transfer once before arriving in Hong Kong, while those from Taiyuan, Harbin, Lhasa, Yinchuan and Urumqi have to take up to two connecting flights.

Arrivals from Hohhot need as many as three transfers – at Wuhan, Shenzhen and Singapore – before landing in Hong Kong, with the entire journey taking up to 22½ hours.