A new service introduced at the Shekou Passenger Ferry Terminal in Shenzhen yesterday allows travelers flying from the Hong Kong airport to get their boarding passes and check in their luggage at the terminal, without any extra cost.

Moreover, passengers can complete all their customs formalities at the terminal.

The service, jointly launched by Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific, China Merchants Group and HIAS, is meant to provide hassle-free travel for passengers, said Peng Dingzhong, president of Airport Authority Hong Kong.

"The Pearl River Delta region is primarily the target market for the Hong Kong airport. With an annual increase of outbound travelers, the airport has to provide more conveniences to customers in order to attract them," Peng said.

The new service will not only benefit passengers, but also the airlines. Both Cathay Pacific and HIAS acknowledged that they expected more travelers to choose the Hong Kong airport because of the new service.

"It will also promote closer cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong. China Merchants Group will soon renovate and expand the Shekou Passenger Ferry Terminal," said Zhou Yali, deputy manager of China Merchants Group Shekou Industrial Zone Co.

At present, the service is only open to Cathay Pacific and HIAS passengers, but more Hong Kong airlines will join shortly. More check-in services of this kind will be set up in other Guangdong cities in the future, Peng said.

(Shenzhen Daily November 17, 2005)