Dragonair is due to launch direct services to Shenyang, capital of Liaoning Province in northeast China, on March 30. The thrice-weekly service, departing on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, will operate via Dalian.

"Shenyang will become the 23rd city we fly to on the Chinese mainland," said Dragonair CEO Stanley Hui. "It is the biggest economic, cultural and industrial hub in the China's northeast and, by operating to this important city we shall provide more choices for passengers."

Shenyang, which has a population of about 7 million, is famed for a number of industries, including machine manufacturing, mining equipment production and vehicle production, and is also a center for science and technology.

"Shenyang is also home to several historic attractions, including the 380-year-old Imperial Palace that is second in grandeur only to the Forbidden City, or the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the tomb of the first Qing emperor," said Hui.

This year the city will host the China International Horticultural Exposition 2006, which is expected to attract tourists from all over the world. Meanwhile, Shenyang became one of the cities allowing individual travelers to Hong Kong and Macau last November, which means residents are able to travel more easily to Hong Kong.

Dragonair is a Hong Kong-based airline, operating a fleet of 12A330-300s, six A321s and 10 A320s, in addition to Boeing freighters. The airline's passenger network covers 31 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, including 22 destinations on the Chinese mainland; while its cargo network connects the markets of Europe, the Middle East, the United States, Japan, Taiwan and Chinese Mainland.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2006)