China Eastern to launch Hongqiao-Hong Kong flights

China Eastern Airlines (CEA.NYSE, 600115.SH, 0670.HK) and subsidiary Shanghai Airlines will introduce direct flights between Shanghai’s Hongqiao airport and Hong Kong in September, following an agreement last month between Hong Kong and mainland aviation authorities, state media reported. China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines will each operate one flight daily to Hong Kong. China Eastern says the new flights will expand passengers’ access to the Yangtze River Delta region. Separately, the airline said its passenger volumes grew 56% year-on-year in July to 6.3 million, and that it carried 114,130 tons of cargo during the month, up nearly 55% from the previous year.